Compositions, methods and uses for the treatment of diabetes and related conditions by controlling blood glucose level

ABSTRACT

The present invention relates to compositions and methods for controlling glycemia in a mammalian in need thereof. The present invention relates to compositions and methods for the treatment of diabetes and related disorders. More specifically, the present invention relates to novel therapies or combinatorial therapies for diabetes and related disorders, based on compositions controlling the blood glucose level.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a divisional of U.S. application Ser. No. 14/698,920, filed Apr. 29, 2015, which is a continuation-in-part of International Application No. PCT/EP2013/072728, filed Oct. 30, 2013, which claims priority from U.S. Provisional Application Ser. No. 61/720,156, filed Oct. 30, 2012, now abandoned, the disclosures of which are hereby incorporated by reference in their entirety, including all figures, tables and amino acid or nucleic acid sequences.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to compositions and methods for controlling glycemia in a mammalian in need thereof. More specifically, the present invention relates to novel therapies or combinatorial therapies of diabetes and related disorders, based on compositions controlling the blood glucose level.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Diabetes mellitus refers to a group of metabolic diseases in which patients have high blood sugar levels. It is a major public health problem due to high number of affected patients since 171 million people worldwide, corresponding to 2.8% of the population in 2000, are diabetic. Diabetes is now considered an epidemic: the number of patients should almost double by 2030. There are mainly two types of diabetes. Type 1 diabetes is mainly characterized by insulin dependent patients, and is known to be autoimmune, sometimes triggered by infectious factors. It usually starts in patients younger than 30 and it accounts for about 5-10% of all cases of diabetes [1]. Type 2 diabetes, mainly characterized by insulin independence, has a later onset than type 1 diabetes and is therefore named adult-onset diabetes. It accounts for about 90-95% of all diabetes cases. Many factors can potentially give rise to or exacerbate type 2 diabetes. These include hypertension, elevated cholesterol, metabolic syndrome and overweight/obesity. As an example, approximately 90% of patients with type 2 diabetes are overweight/obese [2]. Other forms of diabetes include gestational diabetes, congenital diabetes, cystic fibrosis-related diabetes, steroid diabetes, and several forms of monogenic diabetes. Current treatments consist of insulin administration for type 1 diabetes and/or glucose-lowering medications or insulin sensitizers for type 2 diabetes. Insulin is a hormone involved in the glucose homeostasis, together with glucagon. In response to rising levels of blood glucose, insulin is produced by pancreatic beta cells located in the islets of Langerhans. Thus, glucose is taken up from the blood by hepatocytes, muscle cells, and adipocytes used either as an energy source or for storage as glycogen and triglycerides. It also inhibits lipolysis, preventing fatty acid release from fat tissues. On the contrary, low blood glucose levels result in both reduced production and release of insulin. Together with glucagon action, it results in glucose release into the bloodstream. In pathological situations, either insulin production by beta-cells is not sufficient (type 1 diabetes) and/or cells respond poorly to it (insulin resistance; type 2 diabetes), leading to persistent high levels of blood glucose. Precise mechanisms involved in these pathologies are not yet completely understood.

The decrease in insulin production characterizing type 1 diabetes is due to the destruction of beta-cells by an autoimmune process that consists of autoantibody production, activation of self-reactive lymphocytes and infiltration of the pancreas to destroy beta-cells. Type 2 diabetes mellitus is considered to be a complex metabolic disorder. It results from the combination of impaired pancreatic insulin secretion due to beta-cells dysfunction and insulin resistance as well as damaged glucagon secretion. Impairment of glucose-stimulated production of insulin involves a progressive loss of pancreatic beta-cells as well as a decline in islet cell function. Insulin resistance consists for example of suppressed or reduced effects of insulin in peripheral organs/tissues (liver, muscles and fat tissues) or enhanced lipolysis in adipocytes, leading to increased circulation of free fatty acids. These events result in increased endogenous glucose production by the liver together with decreased glucose uptake due to reduced insulin receptor expression, defects in post-receptor actions of insulin [3], hepatic glucose overproduction or blocking of insulin-signaling pathways [4]. Insulin resistance is a hallmark of a more complex syndrome, called metabolic syndrome, which is a grouping of risk factors for coronary heart disease and diabetes mellitus including abdominal obesity, elevated triglyceride levels, decreased high-density lipoprotein levels, elevated blood pressure, and elevated fasting plasma glucose levels [5]. 75% of type 2 diabetes patients have metabolic syndrome.

Persistent high blood glucose leads to both acute and chronic complications that may be very disabling, even fatal for diabetic patients, such as heart disease and stroke, which are the most life-threatening consequences of diabetes mellitus. Long-term persistent elevated blood glucose damages blood vessels, leading to microvascular and macrovascular angiopathy, which account for most of the increased morbidity and mortality associated with the disease. Microvascular complications are responsible for diabetic cardiomyopathy and nephropathy, both sometimes leading to organ failure, retinopathy, which can lead to severe vision loss, and neuropathy. Macrovascular complications rather concern cardiovascular impairments that are responsible for coronary artery disease that in the end provokes angina or myocardial infarction, diabetic myonecrosis, peripheral vascular disease and stroke. Macrovascular complications are more common and up to 80% of patients with type 2 diabetes will develop or die of a macrovascular disease.

Unfortunately, existing treatments do not succeed in restoring normoglycemia in the long term, since beta-cell function declines over time [6]. Moreover, there is presently no single drug able to reverse all aspects of the disease.

Control of glycemia in type 1 diabetes is almost exclusively achieved with injections of exogenous insulin, since patients no longer produce insulin. Insulin may also be administered to type 2 diabetes patients when glucose-lowering drugs and diet fail to control glycemia [7]. It is nowadays more frequently administered to these patients, since it delays development and progression of complications. Use of insulin, however, comprises side effects including hypoglycemia when dosage is not appropriate, increased risk of developing colorectal cancer [8] and gaining weight, which is not recommended for diabetic patients, particularly obese ones.

The progressive nature of type 2 diabetes implies that many patients will eventually require a combination of antidiabetics, possibly together with insulin [9]. Antidiabetics have been developed in order to counteract the main mechanisms involved in type 2 diabetes: insulin resistance (biguanides and thiazolidinediones) and insulin secretion (sulfonylureas, glinides, dipeptidylpeptidase-4 inhibitors, and glucagon-like peptide 1 receptor agonists), in addition to particular mechanisms dealing with delayed absorption of glucose by the gastrointestinal tract. However, most of these medications have been shown to have deleterious side effects such as weight gain, peripheral edema or congestive heart failure and to loss in efficiency in a long term use [9].

Despite the increasing number of therapeutic options related to diabetes, none is able to reverse all the aspects of the disease including progressive loss of beta cells function and the management of all the complications. Thus, there is a need for alternative and improved medications for the treatment of diabetes and related conditions.

SUMMARY OF INVENTION

The present invention provides novel compositions and methods for treating diabetes and related disorders, particularly type 2 diabetes.

The present invention also provides compositions and methods to normalize glycemia in a mammalian subject in need thereof.

The invention also relates to compositions and methods for controlling blood glucose levels in mammalian subjects, particularly in mammalian subjects having diabetes or a related disorder.

The invention also relates to compositions and methods for increasing or stimulating glucose uptake in adipocytes and/or muscular cells in mammalian subjects, particularly in mammalian subjects having diabetes or a related disorder.

The invention also relates to compositions and methods for decreasing insulin resistance in mammalian subjects, particularly in mammalian subjects having type 2 diabetes or a related disorder.

The invention also relates to compositions and methods for decreasing apoptosis of pancreatic beta-cells in mammalian subjects, particularly in mammalian subjects having diabetes or a related disorder.

The present invention discloses the identification and validation, by the inventors, of drugs which, alone or in combination(s), effectively affect either one or several relevant pathways involved in the control of blood glucose levels and represent new and effective therapies for the treatment of diabetes and related disorders. The invention therefore discloses novel therapies of diabetes (type 1 or type 2) and related conditions, as well as novel drugs and drug combinations that are particularly effective for such conditions. The invention is applicable to any mammalian, particularly human, subject. The invention is particularly suited for treating type 2 diabetes or metabolic syndrome, which are associated with abnormally elevated blood glucose levels. Treatments according to the invention may be used in combination or in alternation with other therapies of such conditions.

An object of the invention relates more specifically to a composition comprising at least one, preferably at least two compound(s) selected from acamprosate, almitrine, amlexanox, azelastine, baclofen, carbetapentane, cinacalcet, dexbrompheniramine, diethylcarbamazine, D-mannose, fenspiride, fexofenadine, ifenprodil, mexiletine, nicergoline, tolperisone, torasemide, triamterene, tolfenamic acid, piribedil, levosimendan, cimetidine, diprophylline, idebenone or rilmenidine, for use in the treatment of diabetes or a related disorder.

In a preferred embodiment, said at least one, preferably at least two compound(s) is(are) selected from acamprosate, almitrine, azelastine, baclofen, carbetapentane, cinacalcet, dexbrompheniramine, diethylcarbamazine, D-mannose, fenspiride, ifenprodil, levosimendan, mexiletine, nicergoline, tolfenamic acid, tolperisone, torasemide, or triamterene.

In another particular embodiment, the compound(s) is (are) selected from almitrine, azelastine, acamprosate, baclofen, carbetapentane, dexbrompheniramine, diethylcarbamazine, D-mannose, ifenprodil, mexiletine, nicergoline, or tolperisone.

A more particular object of the invention relates to a composition comprising ifenprodil or fenspiride, for use in the treatment of diabetes or a related disorder.

As illustrated in the examples, the above compounds provide substantial effects when used individually and are further particularly effective in combinations. The examples indeed show that combinatorial therapies are even more preferred to regulate blood glucose levels, in particular glucose uptake and glucose production, as well as to decrease insulin resistance, and provide the most efficient clinical benefit.

Accordingly, a further object of this invention relates to a composition comprising at least:

-   -   a first compound selected from acamprosate, almitrine,         azelastine, baclofen, carbetapentane, cinacalcet,         dexbrompheniramine, diethylcarbamazine, D-mannose, fenspiride,         ifenprodil, levosimendan, mexiletine, nicergoline, tolfenamic         acid, tolperisone, torasemide or triamterene, and     -   a second compound, distinct from the first compound, the second         compound being selected from acamprosate, almitrine, amlexanox,         azelastine, baclofen, carbetapentane, cinacalcet,         dexbrompheniramine, diethylcarbamazine, D-mannose, fenspiride,         fexofenadine, ifenprodil, mexiletine, nicergoline, tolperisone,         torasemide, triamterene, tolfenamic acid, piribedil,         levosimendan, cimetidine, diprophylline, idebenone or         rilmenidine, as well as to the use of such a composition in the         treatment of diabetes or a related disorder.

An object of this invention relates to a composition comprising fenspiride or ifenprodil, and at least one distinct compound selected from acamprosate, almitrine, amlexanox, azelastine, baclofen, carbetapentane, cinacalcet, dexbrompheniramine, diethylcarbamazine, D-mannose, fenspiride, fexofenadine, ifenprodil, mexiletine, nicergoline, tolperisone, torasemide, triamterene, tolfenamic acid, piribedil, levosimendan, cimetidine, diprophylline, idebenone or rilmenidine, as well as to the use of such a composition in the treatment of diabetes or a related disorder.

Another object of the invention relates to a composition comprising at least two compounds selected from acamprosate, almitrine, amlexanox, azelastine, baclofen, carbetapentane, cinacalcet, dexbrompheniramine, diethylcarbamazine, D-mannose, fenspiride, fexofenadine, ifenprodil, mexiletine, nicergoline, tolperisone, torasemide, triamterene, tolfenamic acid, piribedil, levosimendan, cimetidine, diprophylline, idebenone or rilmenidine, as well as to the use of such compositions in the treatment of diabetes or a related disorder in a mammalian in need thereof.

The at least two compounds are more preferably selected from selected from acamprosate, almitrine, azelastine, baclofen, carbetapentane, cinacalcet, dexbrompheniramine, diethylcarbamazine, D-mannose, fenspiride, ifenprodil, levosimendan, mexiletine, nicergoline, tolfenamic acid, tolperisone, torasemide or triamterene.

A particular object of this invention consequently related to a composition comprising fenspiride or ifenprodil, and at least one distinct compound selected from acamprosate, almitrine, azelastine, baclofen, carbetapentane, cinacalcet, dexbrompheniramine, diethylcarbamazine, D-mannose, fenspiride, ifenprodil, levosimendan, mexiletine, nicergoline, tolfenamic acid, tolperisone, torasemide or triamterene for use in the treatment of diabetes or a related disorder in a mammalian in need thereof.

Drug compositions of this invention may also be used in further combination with other anti-diabetic agents or treatments in order provide improved clinical effects and/or to alleviate potential side effects of such anti-diabetic drugs or treatments.

Consequently, a further object of this invention relates to compositions comprising:

-   -   a compound selected from acamprosate, almitrine, azelastine,         baclofen, carbetapentane, cinacalcet, dexbrompheniramine,         diethylcarbamazine, D-mannose, fenspiride, ifenprodil,         levosimendan, mexiletine, nicergoline, tolfenamic acid,         tolperisone, torasemide or triamterene; and     -   a compound selected from the group consisting of acarbose,         acetohexamide, alogliptin, berberine, bezafibrate,         bromocriptine, buformin, carbutamide, chlorpropamide, chromium         picolinate, ciprofibrate, clofibrate, colesevelam,         dexfenfluramine, dutogliptin, exenatide, fenofibrate,         gemfibrozil, gemigliptin, glibenclamide, glibornuride,         glicetanile, gliclazide, glimepiride, glipizide, gliquidone,         glisentide, glyclopyramide, imidapril, insulin, inulin, lipoic         acid, linagliptin, liraglutide, mecobalamin, metformin,         miglitol, mitiglinide, nateglinide, orlistat, phenformin,         pioglitazone, pramlintide, repaglinide, rosiglitazone,         saxagliptin, sitagliptin, tolazamide, tolbutamide, vildagliptin         and voglibose; as well as to the use of such compositions in the         treatment of diabetes or a related disorder in a mammalian in         need thereof.

An even more preferred object of this invention relates to compositions comprising a compound selected from the group consisting of acamprosate, almitrine, azelastine, baclofen, carbetapentane, cinacalcet, dexbrompheniramine, diethylcarbamazine, D-mannose, fenspiride, ifenprodil, levosimendan, mexiletine, nicergoline, tolfenamic acid, tolperisone, torasemide or triamterene in combination with metformin, as well as to the use of such compositions in the treatment of diabetes or a related disorder in a mammalian subject in need thereof.

The invention also relates to pharmaceutical compositions comprising a drug or drug combination as disclosed above. The pharmaceutical compositions of the invention typically comprise one or several pharmaceutically acceptable excipients or carriers. Also, the compound(s) in the compositions of the invention may be used as such or in the form of a salt, hydrate, ester, ether, acid, amide, racemate, or isomer. They may also be in the form of sustained-release formulations.

Prodrugs or metabolites of the compound(s) may be used as well.

In an embodiment the invention relates to a composition comprising a combination selected from:

-   -   ifenprodil and acamprosate,     -   ifenprodil and baclofen,     -   baclofen and acamprosate,     -   mexiletine and cinacalcet,     -   mexiletine and torasemide,     -   sulfisoxazole and torasemide,     -   azelastine and nicergoline,     -   idebenone and nicergoline,     -   carbetapentane and nicergoline,     -   almitrine and nicergoline,     -   cimetidine and nicergoline,     -   diethylcarbamazine and nicergoline,     -   ifenprodil and nicergoline,     -   azelastine and idebenone,     -   acamprosate and nicergoline,     -   azelastine and carbetapentane,     -   azelastine and almitrine,     -   idebenone and carbetapentane,     -   idebenone and almitrine,     -   triamterene and nicergoline,     -   D-mannose and nicergoline,     -   idebenone and diethylcarbamazine,     -   ifenprodil and fenspiride,     -   ifenprodil and tolfenamic acid,     -   ifenprodil and torasemide,     -   ifenprodil and triamterene,     -   fenspiride and torasemide,     -   fenspiride and triamterene,     -   fenspiride and tolfenamic acid,     -   torasemide and tolfenamic acid,     -   torasemide and triamterene,     -   tolfenamic acid and triamterene, or     -   D-mannose and baclofen, as well as to the use of such         composition in the treatment of diabetes or a related disorder         in a mammalian in need thereof.

In another embodiment the invention relates to a combination of metformin with at least one of the above combination of compounds, as well as its use in the treatment of diabetes or a related disorder in a mammalian in need thereof.

As will be further disclosed in the present application, the compounds in a composition or combinatorial therapy according to the invention may be formulated or administered to the subject together, separately or sequentially, possibly through different routes and protocols. In a preferred embodiment, compositions of the invention are administered repeatedly to the subject.

The invention also relates to methods of treating diabetes or a related disorder, the methods comprising administering to a subject in need thereof a drug or drug(s) composition as disclosed above. In a particular embodiment, the methods further comprise a step of measuring the blood glucose level in a blood sample from the mammalian subject, either before or after drug(s) administration.

A further object of this invention relates to a method of treating diabetes or a related disorder, the method comprising simultaneously, separately or sequentially administering to a subject in need thereof a drug combination as disclosed above.

A further object of this invention relates to the use of the above-described compositions for the manufacture of a medicament for the treatment of diabetes or a related disorder.

The invention may be used in any mammalian subject, particularly a human subject.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

Unless otherwise specified, tested drugs induce an effect significantly different from reference (t-test: * p<0.05. ** p<0.01; *** p<0.001).

FIG. 1: Effect of D-mannose pre-treatment against apoptosis of beta cells (optical density). The apoptosis is significantly prevented by D-mannose at doses as low as 10 nM (129%).

FIG. 2: Effect of triamterene short-term pre-treatment on insulin secretion in INS-1 cells. The insulin secretion is significantly enhanced by triamterene (+37%).

FIG. 3: Effect of cinacalcet long-term pre-treatment on insulin secretion in INS-1 cells. The insulin secretion is significantly enhanced by cinacalcet at doses as low as 1 μM (+55%).

FIG. 4: Effect of acamprosate short-term pre-treatment on glucose uptake in H-2 Kb cells. The glucose uptake is significantly enhanced by acamprosate at doses as low as 0.1 μM (+45%).

FIG. 5: Effect of almitrine short-term pre-treatment on glucose uptake in H-2 Kb cells. The glucose uptake is significantly enhanced by almitrine at doses as low as 1 μM (+80%).

FIG. 6: Effect of nicergoline long-term pre-treatment on glucose uptake in H-2 Kb cells. The glucose uptake is significantly enhanced by nicergoline (+28%).

FIG. 7: Effect of carbetapentane short-term pre-treatment on glucose uptake in 3T3-L1 cells. The glucose uptake is significantly enhanced by carbetapentane at doses as low as 100 nM (+58%).

FIG. 8: Effect of almitrine long-term pre-treatment on glucose uptake in 3T3-L1 cells. The glucose uptake is significantly enhanced by almitrine at doses as low as 1 μM (+69%).

FIG. 9: Effect of D-mannose short-term pre-treatment on glucose production by hepatic cells. The glucose production is significantly reduced by D-mannose (−22%).

FIG. 10: Effect of ifenprodil long-term pre-treatment on glucose production by hepatic cells. The glucose production is significantly reduced by ifenprodil at doses as low as 10 nM (−22%).

FIG. 11: Effect of azelastine long-term pre-treatment on glucose production by hepatic cells. The glucose production is significantly reduced by azelastine (−36%).

FIG. 12: Effect of piribedil short-term pre-treatment on glucose uptake in 3T3-L1 cells. The glucose uptake is significantly enhanced by piribedil at doses as low as 10 nM (+68%).

FIG. 13: Effect of torasemide pre-treatment on glucose uptake in human primary diabetic myotubes. The glucose uptake is significantly enhanced at doses as low as 0.01 μM, 0.1 μM and 1 μM (+24%, +18% and +14%, respectively).

FIG. 14: Effect of fenspiride pre-treatment on glucose uptake in diabetic myotubes derived from a diabetic patient. The glucose uptake is significantly enhanced at doses as low as 0.01 μM, 0.1 μM and 1 μM (+34%, +30% and +27%, respectively).

FIG. 15: Effect of tolfenamic acid pre-treatment on glucose uptake in human primary myotubes derived from a diabetic patient. The glucose uptake is significantly enhanced at doses as low as 0.01 μM, 0.1 μM and 1 μM (+13%, +13% and +12%, respectively).

FIG. 16: Effect of ifenprodil pre-treatment on glucose uptake in human primary diabetic myotubes. The glucose uptake is enhanced at doses as low as 0.01 μM (+48%).

FIG. 17: Effect of triamterene pre-treatment on glucose uptake in human primary diabetic myotubes. The glucose uptake is significantly enhanced at doses as low as 0.01 μM (+13%).

FIG. 18: Effect of torasemide pre-treatment on glucose uptake by 3T3L1 differentiated adipocytes, under TNF-α induced insulin resistance conditions. The glucose uptake is significantly enhanced at doses as low as 0.37 nM, 1 nM and 3.3 nM (+121%, +123% and +129%, respectively) when compared to non-treated insulin-resistant cells (TNFα).

FIG. 19: Effect of ifenprodil pre-treatment on glucose uptake by 3T3L1 differentiated adipocytes, under TNF-α induced insulin resistance conditions. The glucose uptake is significantly enhanced at doses as low as 1 μM (+140%) when compared to non-treated insulin-resistant cells (TNFα).

FIG. 20: Effect of fenspiride pre-treatment on glucose uptake by 3T3L1 differentiated adipocytes, under TNF-α induced insulin resistance conditions. The glucose uptake is significantly enhanced at doses as low as 1 nM (+130%) when compared to non-treated insulin-resistant cells (TNFα).

FIG. 21: Effect of tolfenamic acid pre-treatment on glucose uptake by 3T3L1 differentiated adipocytes, under TNF-α-induced insulin resistance conditions. The glucose uptake is significantly enhanced at doses as low as 10 nM (+127%) when compared to non-treated insulin-resistant cells (TNFα).

FIG. 22: Effect of baclofen—acamprosate combination on plasma CRP concentration in ZDF male rats after a 4-week treatment. The CRP concentration is significantly reduced by the baclofen—acamprosate combination in treated ZDF rats when compared to non-treated ZDF rats.

FIG. 23: Effect of D-mannose—baclofen—metformin combination (respectively, 5 mg/kg and 2 mg/kg bid, and 150 mg/kg once a day) short-term treatment on glucose homeostasis in db/db mice. Fasting glycemia (mg/dL) is significantly decreased in treated db/db mice when compared with non-treated db/db mice.

FIG. 24: Effect of pre-treatment with the combination of fenspiride and ifenprodil on glucose uptake by 3T3L1 differentiated adipocytes, under TNF-α induced insulin resistance conditions. The glucose uptake of insulin resistant cells is significantly enhanced in the cells pretreated with the drugs combined at a dose as low as 3.3 nM (+124%) when compared to non-treated insulin-resistant cells (TNFα). No significant effect is noticed in the cells pretreated with the drugs used individually (Dunnett's test, **p<0.01).

FIG. 25: Effect of pre-treatment with the combination of fenspiride and triamterene on glucose uptake by 3T3L1 differentiated adipocytes, under TNF-α induced insulin resistance conditions. The glucose uptake of insulin-resistant cells is significantly enhanced in the cells pretreated with the drugs combined at a dose as low as 10 nM (+116%) when compared to non-treated insulin-resistant cells (TNFα). No significant effect is noticed in the cells pretreated with the drugs used individually (Dunnett's test, *p<0.05).

FIG. 26: Effect of pre-treatment with the combination of fenspiride and tolfenamic acid on glucose uptake by 3T3L1 differentiated adipocytes, under TNF-α induced insulin resistance conditions. The glucose uptake of insulin-resistant cells is significantly enhanced in the cells pretreated with the drugs combined at a dose as low as 10 nM (+115%) when compared to non-treated insulin-resistant cells (TNFα). No significant effect is noticed in the cells pretreated with the drugs used individually (Dunnett's test, *p<0.05).

FIG. 27: Effect of pre-treatment with the combination of ifenprodil and tolfenamic acid on glucose uptake by 3T3L1 differentiated adipocytes, under TNF-α induced insulin resistance conditions. The glucose uptake of insulin resistant cells is significantly enhanced in the cells pretreated with the drugs combined at a dose as low as 3.3 nM (+124%) when compared to non-treated insulin-resistant cells (TNFα). No significant effect is noticed in the cells pretreated with the drugs used individually (Dunnett's test, *p<0.05).

FIG. 28: Enhancing effect of fenspiride on metformin treatment of insulin resistance in the model of glucose uptake by 3T3L1 differentiated adipocytes, under TNF-α induced insulin resistance conditions. The glucose uptake of insulin resistant cells is significantly enhanced in the cells pretreated with the combination of the two drugs (fenspiride 3.3 nM and metformin 100 μM) (+136%) when compared to non-treated insulin-resistant cells (TNFα). No significant effect is noticed for the drugs when used alone at the same concentrations (Dunnett's test, *p<0.05).

FIG. 29: Enhancing effect of ifenprodil on metformin treatment of insulin resistance in the model of glucose uptake by 3T3L1 differentiated adipocytes, under TNF-α-induced insulin resistance conditions. The glucose uptake of insulin resistant cells is significantly enhanced in the cells pretreated with the combination of the two drugs (ifenprodil 3.3 nM and metformin 100 μM) (+126%) when compared to non-treated insulin resistant cells (TNFα). No significant effect is noticed for the drugs when used alone at the same concentrations.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The present invention provides new therapeutic approaches for controlling blood glucose level. The invention discloses novel drugs, drug combinations and methods which allow an effective control of blood glucose level and may be used for patient treatment.

The invention therefore relates to compositions and methods for the treatment of diabetes and related disorders.

Definitions

Within the context of the invention, the term “treatment” includes preventive or curative treatment. The term “treatment” designates in particular the correction, retardation, or reduction of an impaired glucose homeostasis. The level of glucose in the blood fluctuates throughout the day. Glucose levels are usually lower in the morning, before the first meal of the day and rise after meals for some hours. Consequently, the term “treatment” includes the control of blood glucose level by increasing or decreasing blood glucose level depending on the condition of the mammalian subject and the time of day in order to reach a normal glucose level. The term “treatment” more particularly includes a temporary or persistent reduction of blood glucose level in a subject having diabetes or a related disorder. The term “treatment” also designates an improvement in insulin release (e.g., by pancreatic β-cells), glucagon release (e.g., by pancreatic α-cells), glucose utilization and/or uptake (e.g., capture of glucose by muscle cells or adipocytes), and/or hepatic neoglucogenesis.

Within the context of the invention, the terms “controlling the blood glucose level” or “the control of blood glucose level” refer to the normalization or regulation of the blood or plasma glucose level in a mammalian subject having abnormal levels (i.e., levels that are below or above a known reference, median, or average value for a corresponding mammalian subject with a normal glucose homeostasis).

The term “diabetes” refers herein to a group of metabolic diseases in which patients have high blood glucose levels, including Type 1 diabetes, Type 2 diabetes, gestational diabetes, congenital diabetes, cystic fibrosis-related diabetes, steroid diabetes, and several forms of monogenic diabetes.

The term “related disorder” designates any disease associated with a blood or plasma glucose level outside the normal range, preferably hyperglycemia. Consequently, the term “related disorder” includes impaired glucose tolerance (IGT), impaired fasting glucose (IFG), insulin resistance, metabolic syndrome, postprandial hyperglycemia and overweight/obesity. Such related disorders can also be characterized by an abnormal blood and/or plasma insulin level.

The terms “combination”, “combinatorial therapy” or “combinatory treatment” designate a treatment wherein at least two compounds are co-administered to a subject to cause a biological effect. In a combined therapy according to this invention, the at least two drugs may be administered together or separately, at the same time or sequentially. Simultaneous administration is not required, as long as the drugs produce a combined or synergistic effect in the organism to improve the patient's condition. Also, the at least two drugs may be administered through different routes and protocols. As a result, although they may be formulated together, the drugs of a combination may also be formulated separately.

Within the context of the invention, the terms “compound” or “drug” as identified by its name or CAS number are meant to designate the chemical compound as specifically named or identified with its corresponding CAS number, as well as any pharmaceutically acceptable salt, hydrate, isomer, racemate, conjugate or derivative thereof, of any chemical purity.

The term “derivative” includes any functionally and structurally related compound, such as acid derivatives, amide derivatives, ester derivatives, ether derivatives, prodrugs and metabolites.

The term “prodrug” as used herein refers to any derivative (or precursor) of a compound which, when administered to a biological system (e.g., a human organism), generates said compound as a result of, e.g., spontaneous chemical reaction(s), enzyme catalyzed chemical reaction(s), and/or metabolic chemical reaction(s). Prodrugs typically have the structure X-drug wherein X is an inert carrier moiety and drug is the active compound. Usually, the prodrug is devoid of activity or less active than the drug and the drug is released from the carrier in vivo. Prodrugs are usually inactive or less active than the resulting drug and can be used, for example, to improve the physicochemical properties of the drug, to target the drug to a specific tissue, to improve the pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic properties of the drug and/or to reduce undesirable side effects. Some of the common functional groups that are amenable to prodrug design include, but are not limited to, carboxylic, hydroxyl, amine, phosphate/phosphonate and carbonyl groups. Prodrugs typically produced via the modification of these groups include, but are not limited to, esters, carbonates, carbamates, amides and phosphates. Specific technical guidance for the selection of suitable prodrugs is general common knowledge [11-15]. Furthermore, the preparation of prodrugs may be performed by conventional methods known by those skilled in the art. Methods which can be used to synthesize prodrugs are described in numerous reviews on the subject [12; 16-21].

The term “metabolite” of a drug as used herein refers to a molecule which results from the (biochemical) modification(s) or processing of said drug after administration to an organism, usually through specialized enzymatic systems, and which displays or retains a biological activity of the drug. Metabolites have been disclosed as being responsible for much of the therapeutic action of the parent drug.

The term “salt” refers to a pharmaceutically acceptable and relatively non-toxic inorganic or organic acid or basic addition salt of a compound of the present invention. Pharmaceutical salt formation typically consists of pairing an acidic, basic or zwitterionic drug molecule with a counterion to create a salt version of the drug. A wide variety of chemical species can be used in neutralization reactions. Though most salts of a given active principle are bioequivalents, some may have, among other properties, increased solubility or bioavailability. Salt selection is now a common standard operation in the process of drug development as taught by H. Stahl and C. G. Wermuth in their handbook [22].

In a preferred embodiment, the designation of a compound is meant to designate the compound per se, as well as any pharmaceutically acceptable salt, hydrate, isomer, racemate, ester or ether thereof.

In a more preferred embodiment, the designation of a compound is meant to designate the compound as specifically designated per se, as well as any pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof.

In a particular embodiment, a sustained-release formulation of the compound is used.

Compositions and Methods for Treating Diabetes and Related Disorders

By a comprehensive integration of experimental data covering results of cell biology studies, expression profiling experiments and genetic association studies, the inventors have been able to select a small number of drugs which, alone and/or in combination(s), effectively alter relevant pathways for the control of glycemia and represent new therapeutic approaches for treating diabetes and related disorders. These drugs or combinations may be used to normalize blood glucose level by acting, e.g., on insulin release, glucagon release, glucose utilization and/or glucose production, and offer novel potent therapies for diabetes and related disorders. As disclosed in the examples, these drugs and combinations have a strong effect on diabetes' relevant functions: they are involved in the protection of beta cells against apoptosis, the increase of glucose uptake in muscular tissues and adipocytes, the increase of insulin secretion by the pancreatic β cells and/or the control of glucose production in hepatic tissues.

These drugs and combinations therefore represent new therapeutic approaches for the control of blood glucose level in a mammalian in need thereof. They also represent new therapeutic approaches for the treatment of diabetes or related disorders in a mammalian in need thereof.

In this regard, an object of this invention relates to compositions comprising at least one compound selected from the group consisting of acamprosate, amlexanox, almitrine, azelastine, baclofen, carbetapentane, cinacalcet, dexbrompheniramine, diethylcarbamazine, D-mannose, fenspiride, fexofenadine, ifenprodil, mexiletine, nicergoline, tolperisone, torasemide, triamterene, tolfenamic acid, piribedil, levosimendan, cimetidine, diprophylline, idebenone and rilmenidine, for use in the treatment of diabetes or a related disorder in a mammalian in need thereof.

The invention also relates to the use of at least one compound as listed above for the manufacture of a medicament for treating diabetes or a related disorder in a mammalian in need thereof.

The invention also relates to a method for treating diabetes or a related disorder in a mammalian in need thereof, comprising administering to the mammalian at least one compound as listed above.

Illustrative CAS numbers for each of the selected compounds are provided in Table 1 below:

TABLE 1 Drug Name CAS number acamprosate 77337-76-9; 77337-73-6 almitrine 27469-53-0; 29608-49-9 amlexanox 68302-57-8 azelastine 58581-89-8; 79307-93-0 baclofen 1134-47-0; 66514-99-6; 69308-37-8; 70206-22-3; 63701-56-4; 63701-55-3 carbetapentane 77-23-6; 23142-01-0; 1045-21-2 cimetidine 51481-61-9; 70059-30-2 cinacalcet 226256-56-0; 364782-34-3 dexbrompheniramine 86-22-6; 980-71-2; 2391-03-9 diethylcarbamazine 90-89-1; 1642-54-2 diprophylline 479-18-5 D-mannose 10030-80-5; 3458-28-4 fenspiride 5053-06-5; 5053-08-7 fexofenadine 83799-24-0; 138452-21-8; 153439-40-8; 139965-10-9; 139965-11-0 idebenone 58186-27-9 ifenprodil 23210-56-2; 23210-58-4 levosimendan 141505-33-1 mexiletine 5370-01-4; 31828-71-4 nicergoline 27848-84-6 piribedil 3605-01-4 rilmenidine 54187-04-1; 85409-38-7 tolfenamic acid 13710-19-5 tolperisone 728-88-1; 3644-61-9 torasemide 56211-40-6; 72810-59-4 triamterene 396-01-0

As mentioned in the examples, the above compounds, when tested individually, are active to improve glucose levels by altering distinct important pathways of glucose homeostasis.

Furthermore, the inventors have surprisingly found that acamprosate, almitrine, azelastine, baclofen, carbetapentane, cinacalcet, dexbrompheniramine, diethylcarbamazine, D-mannose, fenspiride, ifenprodil, levosimendan, mexiletine, nicergoline, tolfenamic acid, tolperisone, torasemide and triamterene are particularly efficient in protecting beta cells against apoptosis, improving the glucose uptake by muscular tissues and/or the release of insulin. Such compounds therefore represent the most preferred embodiment for use in the present invention.

Consequently, the compositions of the invention may comprise 1, 2, 3, 4 or 5 distinct above drugs, more preferably 2, 3 or 4 distinct drugs for combinatorial treatment of diabetes or a related disorder in a subject in need thereof. Furthermore, the above drug compositions may also be used in further combination with one or several additional drugs or treatments beneficial to subjects suffering from diabetes or a related disorder.

In this regard, a particular object of the invention relates to a composition for use in the treatment of diabetes or a related disorder, the composition comprising a compound selected from acamprosate, almitrine, azelastine, baclofen, carbetapentane, cinacalcet, dexbrompheniramine, diethylcarbamazine, D-mannose, fenspiride, ifenprodil, levosimendan, mexiletine, nicergoline, tolfenamic acid, tolperisone, torasemide or triamterene.

The above molecules are preferably used in combination therapies to provide the most efficient clinical benefit. Drug combinations are particularly advantageous because they can affect different pathways and thus are more effective. Also, because of their efficacy and mode of action, the drug combinations can be used at low dosages, which is a further very substantial advantage. Thus, most preferred drug compositions comprise 2, 3, 4 or 5 distinct drugs, even more preferably 2, 3 or 4, for combinatorial treatment of diabetes or a related disorder in a subject in need thereof. In a preferred embodiment, the drugs of the invention are used in combination(s) for combined, separate or sequential administration, in order to provide the most effective effect.

In this regard, a preferred object of this invention relates to compositions comprising a combination of at least two compounds chosen from the group consisting of acamprosate, almitrine, amlexanox, azelastine, baclofen, carbetapentane, cinacalcet, dexbromopheniramine, diethylcarbamazine, D-mannose, fenspiride, fexofenadine, ifenprodil, mexiletine, nicergoline, tolperisone, torasemide, triamterene, tolfenamic acid, piribedil, levosimendan, cimetidine, diprophylline, idebenone and rilmenidine, as well as to the use of such compositions in the treatment of diabetes or a related disorder in a mammalian in need thereof.

A more preferred object of this invention relates to compositions comprising a combination of at least two compounds selected from the group consisting of acamprosate, almitrine, azelastine, baclofen, carbetapentane, cinacalcet, dexbrompheniramine, diethylcarbamazine, D-mannose, fenspiride, ifenprodil, levosimendan, mexiletine, nicergoline, tolfenamic acid, tolperisone, torasemide and triamterene, as well as to the use of such compositions in the treatment of diabetes or a related disorder in a mammalian in need thereof.

A further object of this invention relates to a composition comprising:

-   -   at least one compound selected from acamprosate, almitrine,         azelastine, baclofen, carbetapentane, cinacalcet,         dexbrompheniramine, diethylcarbamazine, D-mannose, fenspiride,         ifenprodil, levosimendan, mexiletine, nicergoline, tolfenamic         acid, tolperisone, torasemide or triamterene, and     -   at least one distinct compound selected from acamprosate,         almitrine, amlexanox, azelastine, baclofen, carbetapentane,         cinacalcet, dexbrompheniramine, diethylcarbamazine, D-mannose,         fenspiride, fexofenadine, ifenprodil, mexiletine, nicergoline,         tolperisone, torasemide, triamterene, tolfenamic acid,         piribedil, levosimendan, cimetidine, diprophylline, idebenone or         rilmenidine,

as well as to the use of such a composition in the treatment of diabetes or a related disorder.

Another object of this invention relates to compositions comprising (i) ifenprodil and (ii) a compound selected from the group consisting of acamprosate, almitrine, amlexanox, azelastine, baclofen, carbetapentane, cinacalcet, dexbrompheniramine, diethylcarbamazine, D-mannose, fenspiride, fexofenadine, mexiletine, nicergoline, tolperisone, torasemide, triamterene, tolfenamic acid, piribedil, levosimendan, cimetidine, diprophylline, idebenone or rilmenidine, as well as to the use of such composition in the treatment of diabetes or a related disorder in a mammalian in need thereof.

A further object of this invention relates to compositions comprising (i) acamprosate and (ii) a compound selected from the group consisting of almitrine, amlexanox, azelastine, baclofen, carbetapentane, cinacalcet, dexbrompheniramine, diethylcarbamazine, D-mannose, fenspiride, fexofenadine, ifenprodil, mexiletine, nicergoline, tolperisone, torasemide, triamterene, tolfenamic acid, piribedil, levosimendan, cimetidine, diprophylline, idebenone or rilmenidine, as well as to the use of such composition in the treatment of diabetes or a related disorder in a mammalian in need thereof.

A particular object of this invention relates to compositions comprising (i) azelastine and (ii) a compound selected from the group consisting of acamprosate, almitrine, amlexanox, baclofen, carbetapentane, cinacalcet, dexbrompheniramine, diethylcarbamazine, D-mannose, fenspiride, fexofenadine, ifenprodil, mexiletine, nicergoline, tolperisone, torasemide, triamterene, tolfenamic acid, piribedil, levosimendan, cimetidine, diprophylline, idebenone or rilmenidine, as well as to the use of such composition in the treatment of diabetes or a related disorder in a mammalian in need thereof.

Another particular object of this invention relates to compositions comprising (i) torasemide and (ii) a compound selected from the group consisting of acamprosate, almitrine, amlexanox, azelastine, baclofen, carbetapentane, cinacalcet, dexbrompheniramine, diethylcarbamazine, D-mannose, fenspiride, fexofenadine, ifenprodil, mexiletine, nicergoline, tolperisone, triamterene, tolfenamic acid, piribedil, levosimendan, cimetidine, diprophylline, idebenone or rilmenidine, as well as to the use of such composition in the treatment of diabetes or a related disorder in a mammalian in need thereof.

An object of this invention relates to compositions comprising (i) fenspiride and (ii) a compound selected from the group consisting of acamprosate, almitrine, amlexanox, azelastine, baclofen, carbetapentane, cinacalcet, dexbrompheniramine, diethylcarbamazine, D-mannose, fexofenadine, ifenprodil, mexiletine, nicergoline, tolperisone, torasemide, triamterene, tolfenamic acid, piribedil, levosimendan, cimetidine, diprophylline, idebenone or rilmenidine, as well as to the use of such composition in the treatment of diabetes or a related disorder in a mammalian in need thereof.

A particular object of this invention relates to compositions comprising (i) tolfenamic acid and (ii) a compound selected from the group consisting of acamprosate, almitrine, amlexanox, azelastine, baclofen, carbetapentane, cinacalcet, dexbrompheniramine, diethylcarbamazine, D-mannose, fenspiride, fexofenadine, ifenprodil, mexiletine, nicergoline, tolperisone, torasemide, triamterene, piribedil, levosimendan, cimetidine, diprophylline, idebenone or rilmenidine, as well as to the use of such composition in the treatment of diabetes or a related disorder in a mammalian in need thereof.

A particular object of this invention relates to compositions comprising (i) triamterene and (ii) a compound selected from the group consisting of acamprosate, almitrine, amlexanox, azelastine, baclofen, carbetapentane, cinacalcet, dexbrompheniramine, diethylcarbamazine, D-mannose, fenspiride, fexofenadine, ifenprodil, mexiletine, nicergoline, tolperisone, torasemide, tolfenamic acid, piribedil, levosimendan, cimetidine, diprophylline, idebenone or rilmenidine, as well as to the use of such composition in the treatment of diabetes or a related disorder in a mammalian in need thereof.

Another particular object of this invention relates to compositions comprising (i) piribedil, and (ii) a compound selected from the group consisting of acamprosate, almitrine, amlexanox, azelastine, baclofen, carbetapentane, cinacalcet, dexbrompheniramine, diethylcarbamazine, D-mannose, fenspiride, fexofenadine, ifenprodil, mexiletine, nicergoline, tolperisone, torasemide, triamterene, tolfenamic acid, levosimendan, cimetidine, diprophylline, idebenone or rilmenidine, as well as to the use of such composition in the treatment of diabetes or a related disorder in a mammalian in need thereof.

In a most preferred embodiment, the compositions of this invention comprise at least one of the following drug combinations, for combined, separate or sequential administration:

-   -   ifenprodil and acamprosate,     -   ifenprodil and baclofen,     -   baclofen and acamprosate,     -   mexiletine and cinacalcet,     -   mexiletine and torasemide,     -   sulfisoxazole and torasemide,     -   azelastine and nicergoline,     -   idebenone and nicergoline,     -   carbetapentane and nicergoline,     -   almitrine and nicergoline,     -   cimetidine and nicergoline,     -   diethylcarbamazine and nicergoline,     -   ifenprodil and nicergoline,     -   azelastine and idebenone,     -   acamprosate and nicergoline,     -   azelastine and carbetapentane,     -   azelastine and almitrine,     -   idebenone and carbetapentane,     -   idebenone and almitrine,     -   triamterene and nicergoline,     -   D-mannose and nicergoline,     -   idebenone and diethylcarbamazine,     -   ifenprodil and fenspiride,     -   ifenprodil and torasemide,     -   ifenprodil and triamterene,     -   ifenprodil and tolfenamic acid,     -   fenspiride and torasemide,     -   fenspiride and triamterene,     -   fenspiride and tolfenamic acid,     -   torasemide and triamterene,     -   torasemide and tolfenamic acid,     -   triamterene and tolfenamic acid, or     -   D-mannose and baclofen.

Another object of this invention resides in the use of a composition as defined above for controlling blood or plasma glucose level in a mammalian in need thereof.

A further object of this invention resides in the use of a composition as defined above for the manufacture of a medicament for controlling blood or plasma glucose level in a mammalian in need thereof.

A further object of this invention resides in the use of a composition as defined above for the manufacture of a medicament for treating diabetes or a related disorder.

As indicated previously, in a composition or combination therapy of this invention, the compounds or drugs may be formulated together or separately, and administered together, separately or sequentially.

The invention is particularly adapted for correcting dysregulations of glucose levels in human patients having diabetes, pre-diabetes (also referred to as IGT or IFG), metabolic syndrome, obesity, or a cardiovascular disease implying a predisposition to diabetes.

A further object of the invention is a method of treating diabetes or a related disorder, the method comprising simultaneously, separately or sequentially administering to a subject in need thereof an effective amount of a drug or drug combination as defined above.

In a preferred embodiment, the invention relates to a method of treating diabetes or a related disorder in a subject in need thereof, comprising administering simultaneously, separately or sequentially to the subject an effective amount of at least one of the following drug combinations:

-   -   ifenprodil and acamprosate,     -   ifenprodil and baclofen,     -   baclofen and acamprosate,     -   mexiletine and cinacalcet,     -   mexiletine and torasemide,     -   sulfisoxazole and torasemide,     -   azelastine and nicergoline,     -   idebenone and nicergoline,     -   carbetapentane and nicergoline,     -   almitrine and nicergoline,     -   cimetidine and nicergoline,     -   diethylcarbamazine and nicergoline,     -   ifenprodil and nicergoline,     -   azelastine and idebenone,     -   acamprosate and nicergoline,     -   azelastine and carbetapentane,     -   azelastine and almitrine,     -   idebenone and carbetapentane,     -   idebenone and almitrine,     -   triamterene and nicergoline,     -   D-mannose and nicergoline,     -   idebenone and diethylcarbamazine,     -   ifenprodil and fenspiride,     -   ifenprodil and torasemide,     -   ifenprodil and triamterene,     -   ifenprodil and tolfenamic acid,     -   fenspiride and torasemide,     -   fenspiride and triamterene,     -   fenspiride and tolfenamic acid,     -   torasemide and triamterene,     -   torasemide and tolfenamic acid,     -   triamterene and tolfenamic acid, or     -   D-mannose and baclofen.

In a particular embodiment, the methods of treating diabetes or a related disorder further comprise a step of measuring glucose blood level in a blood sample from the mammalian subject, either prior to and/or after administration of the drug(s).

In this regard, a further object of the invention is a method of controlling blood glucose level, the method comprising the steps of:

1) measuring blood glucose level in a blood sample from a mammalian subject, and

2) administering to said subject an effective amount of a composition as disclosed above.

In the methods of the invention, the step of measuring glucose level may be repeated during the course of the treatment, e.g., to assess or monitor treatment efficacy and/or to adjust the treatment regimen.

The compositions of the invention typically comprise one or several pharmaceutically acceptable carriers or excipients. Also, for use in the present invention, the drugs or compounds are usually mixed with pharmaceutically acceptable excipients or carriers.

In this regard, a further object of this invention is a method of preparing a pharmaceutical composition, the method comprising mixing the above compounds in an appropriate excipient or carrier.

According to preferred embodiments of the invention, as indicated above, the compounds are used as such or in the form of a pharmaceutically acceptable salt, prodrug, metabolite, or sustained release formulation thereof.

Although very effective in vitro and in vivo, depending on the subject or specific condition, the above methods, compositions or combination therapies may further be used in conjunction, association or combination with additional drugs or treatments.

Other additional diabetes therapies used in conjunction with drug(s) or drug(s) combination(s) according to the present invention may comprise one or more drug(s) that regulate blood glucose level, one or more drug(s) used for the treatment of hyperlipidemia or hypercholesterolemia, and/or one or more drug(s) that could be used, or are currently being evaluated in the frame of clinical trials, for treating diabetes or a related disorder. Preferably, said one or more drug(s) is/are selected from acarbose, acetohexamide, alogliptin, berberine, bezafibrate, bromocriptine, buformin, carbutamide, chlorpropamide, chromium picolinate, ciprofibrate, clofibrate, colesevelam, dexfenfluramine, dutogliptin, exenatide, fenofibrate, gemfibrozil, gemigliptin, glibenclamide, glibornuride, glicetanile, gliclazide, glimepiride, glipizide, gliquidone, glisentide, glyclopyramide, imidapril, insulin, inulin, lipoic acid, linagliptin, liraglutide, mecobalamin, metformin, miglitol, mitiglinide, nateglinide, orlistat, phenformin, pioglitazone, pramlintide, repaglinide, rosiglitazone, saxagliptin, sitagliptin, tolazamide, tolbutamide, vildagliptin and voglibose.

Illustrative CAS numbers for each of these compounds are provided in Table 2 below (side effects mainly from Sweetman, S. (ed.), Martindale: The Complete Drug Reference, London: Pharmaceutical Press, electronic version (2011) and Nathan et al. (2009) [9]):

TABLE 2 Drug Name CAS number Side Effects Analogs of amylin pramlintide 196078-30-5 Gastrointestinal Weight loss Glucagon-like peptide 1 receptor agonists exenatide 141758-74-9 Gastrointestinal liraglutide 204656-20-2 Weight loss Alphaglucosidase inhibitors acarbose 56180-94-0 Gastrointestinal miglitol 72432-03-2 voglibose 83480-29-9 Dipeptidyl peptidase 4 inhibitors alogliptin 850649-62-6 Upper respiratory berberine 2086-83-1; 633-65-8; infections 633-66-9 dutogliptin 852329-66-9 gemigliptin 911637-19-9 linagliptin 668270-12-0 saxagliptin 361442-04-8 sitagliptin 654671-78-0 vildagliptin 274901-16-5 Glinides mitiglinide 145375-43-5 Weight gain nateglinide 105816-04-4 Cardiovascular repaglinide 135062-02-1 complications Hypoglycemia Sulfonylureas acetohexamide 968-81-0 Weight gain carbutamide 339-43-5 Cardiovascular chlorpropamide 94-20-2 complications glibenclamide 10238-21-8 Hypoglycaemia glibornuride 26944-48-9 Loss of efficacy glipizide 29094-61-9 with long-term use glimepiride 93479-97-1 gliclazide 21187-98-4 gliquidone 33342-05-1 glisentide 32797-92-5 glyclopyramide 631-27-6 tolbutamide 64-77-7 tolazamide 1156-19-0 Fibrates bezafibrate 41859-67-0 Gastrointestinal ciprofibrate 52214-84-3 Myopathy clofibrate 637-07-0; 882-09-7; 39087-48-4; 14613-30-0 fenofibrate 49562-28-9 (fenofibrate); 42017-89-0 (fenofibric acid); 856676-23-8 gemfibrozil 25812-30-0 Thiazolidinediones rosiglitazone 122320-73-4; 302543-62-0; Peripheral edema 155141-29-0; 397263-60-4 Congestive heart pioglitazone 111025-46-8; 112529-15-4 failure Biguanides buformin 1190-53-0 Gastrointestinal metformin 657-24-9; 1115-70-4 Lactic acidosis phenformin 834-28-6 Others bromocriptine 22260-51-1 Gastrointestinal, hypotension, cardiovascular complications chromium picolinate 14639-25-9 N/A colesevelam 182815-44-7 Gastrointestinal Hyperchloremic acidosis Increase of plasma-triglyceride concentrations dexfenfluramine 3239-44-9 Cardiovascular complications imidapril 89396-94-1 Hypotension Cardiovascular complications Renal impairment Upper respiratory tract symptoms Pancreatitis inulin 9005-80-5 N/A lipoic acid 62-46-4 N/A mecobalamin 13422-55-4 N/A orlistat 96829-58-2 Gastrointestinal Risk of liver toxicity Insulin insulin 9004-10-8; 11070-73-8; Hypo- 12584-58-6; 11061-68-0; glycemiaWeight 8063-29-4; 9004-21-1; gain 68859-20-1; 8049-62-5; 53027-39-7; 9004-17-5; 116094-23-6; 9004-12-0; 51798-72-2; 11091-62-6 169148-63-4; 160337-95-1; 207748-29-6; 133107-64-9; 874442-57-6

In this regard, an object of this invention relates to compositions comprising:

-   -   at least one compound selected from the group consisting of         acamprosate, almitrine, amlexanox, azelastine, baclofen,         carbetapentane, cinacalcet, dexbromopheniramine,         diethylcarbamazine, D-mannose, fenspiride, fexofenadine,         ifenprodil, mexiletine, nicergoline, tolperisone, torasemide,         triamterene, tolfenamic acid, piribedil, levosimendan,         cimetidine, diprophylline, idebenone and rilmenidine, and     -   at least one compound selected from the group consisting of         acarbose, acetohexamide, alogliptin, berberine, bezafibrate,         bromocriptine, buformin, carbutamide, chlorpropamide, chromium         picolinate, ciprofibrate, clofibrate, colesevelam,         dexfenfluramine, dutogliptin, exenatide, fenofibrate,         gemfibrozil, gemigliptin, glibenclamide, glibornuride,         glicetanile, gliclazide, glimepiride, glipizide, gliquidone,         glisentide, glyclopyramide, imidapril, insulin, inulin, lipoic         acid, linagliptin, liraglutide, mecobalamin, metformin,         miglitol, mitiglinide, nateglinide, orlistat, phenformin,         pioglitazone, pramlintide, repaglinide, rosiglitazone,         saxagliptin, sitagliptin, tolazamide, tolbutamide, vildagliptin         and voglibose,

as well as to the use of such compositions in the treatment of diabetes or a related disorder in a mammalian subject in need thereof.

Another preferred object of this invention relates to compositions comprising (i) a compound selected from the group consisting of acamprosate, almitrine, azelastine, baclofen, carbetapentane, cinacalcet, dexbrompheniramine, diethylcarbamazine, D-mannose, fenspiride, ifenprodil, levosimendan, mexiletine, nicergoline, tolfenamic acid, tolperisone, triamterene or torasemide, in combination with (ii) a compound selected from the group consisting of acarbose, acetohexamide, alogliptin, berberine, bezafibrate, bromocriptine, buformin, carbutamide, chlorpropamide, chromium picolinate, ciprofibrate, clofibrate, colesevelam, dexfenfluramine, dutogliptin, exenatide, fenofibrate, gemfibrozil, gemigliptin, glibenclamide, glibornuride, glicetanile, gliclazide, glimepiride, glipizide, gliquidone, glisentide, glyclopyramide, imidapril, insulin, inulin, lipoic acid, linagliptin, liraglutide, mecobalamin, metformin, miglitol, mitiglinide, nateglinide, orlistat, phenformin, pioglitazone, pramlintide, repaglinide, rosiglitazone, saxagliptin, sitagliptin, tolazamide, tolbutamide, vildagliptin and voglibose, as well as to the use of such compositions in the treatment of diabetes or a related disorder in a mammalian subject in need thereof.

An even more preferred object of this invention relates to compositions comprising a compound selected from the group consisting of acamprosate, almitrine, azelastine, baclofen, carbetapentane, cinacalcet, dexbrompheniramine, diethylcarbamazine, D-mannose, fenspiride, ifenprodil, levosimendan, mexiletine, nicergoline, tolfenamic acid, tolperisone, torasemide or triamterene, in combination with one compound selected from the group consisting of glibenclamide, repaglinide, metformin and pioglitazone, as well as to the use of such compositions in the treatment of diabetes or a related disorder in a mammalian subject in need thereof.

A very preferred object of this invention relates to compositions comprising a compound selected from the group consisting of acamprosate, almitrine, azelastine, baclofen, carbetapentane, cinacalcet, dexbrompheniramine, diethylcarbamazine, D-mannose, fenspiride, ifenprodil, levosimendan, mexiletine, nicergoline, tolfenamic acid, tolperisone, torasemide and triamterene, in combination with metformin, as well as to the use of such compositions in the treatment of diabetes or a related disorder in a mammalian subject in need thereof.

A more preferred object of this invention relates to compositions comprising (i) at least two compounds selected from the group consisting of acamprosate, almitrine, amlexanox, azelastine, baclofen, carbetapentane, cinacalcet, dexbromopheniramine, diethylcarbamazine, D-mannose, fenspiride, fexofenadine, ifenprodil, mexiletine, nicergoline, tolperisone, torasemide, triamterene, tolfenamic acid, piribedil, levosimendan, cimetidine, diprophylline, idebenone and rilmenidine, and (ii) a compound selected from the group consisting of acarbose, acetohexamide, alogliptin, berberine, bezafibrate, bromocriptine, buformin, carbutamide, chlorpropamide, chromium picolinate, ciprofibrate, clofibrate, colesevelam, dexfenfluramine, dutogliptin, exenatide, fenofibrate, gemfibrozil, gemigliptin, glibenclamide, glibornuride, glicetanile, gliclazide, glimepiride, glipizide, gliquidone, glisentide, glyclopyramide, imidapril, insulin, inulin, lipoic acid, linagliptin, liraglutide, mecobalamin, metformin, miglitol, mitiglinide, nateglinide, orlistat, phenformin, pioglitazone, pramlintide, repaglinide, rosiglitazone, saxagliptin, sitagliptin, tolazamide, tolbutamide, vildagliptin and voglibose, as well as to the use of such compositions in the treatment of diabetes or a related disorder in a mammalian subject in need thereof.

A more preferred object of this invention relates to compositions comprising:

-   -   at least two compounds selected from the group consisting of         acamprosate, almitrine, azelastine, baclofen, carbetapentane,         cinacalcet, dexbrompheniramine, diethylcarbamazine, D-mannose,         fenspiride, ifenprodil, levosimendan, mexiletine, nicergoline,         tolfenamic acid, tolperisone, torasemide and triamterene,     -   in combination with a compound selected from the group         consisting of acarbose, acetohexamide, alogliptin, berberine,         bezafibrate, bromocriptine, buformin, carbutamide,         chlorpropamide, chromium picolinate, ciprofibrate, clofibrate,         colesevelam, dexfenfluramine, dutogliptin, exenatide,         fenofibrate, gemfibrozil, gemigliptin, glibenclamide,         glibornuride, glicetanile, gliclazide, glimepiride, glipizide,         gliquidone, glisentide, glyclopyramide, imidapril, insulin,         inulin, lipoic acid, linagliptin, liraglutide, mecobalamin,         metformin, miglitol, mitiglinide, nateglinide, orlistat,         phenformin, pioglitazone, pramlintide, repaglinide,         rosiglitazone, saxagliptin, sitagliptin, tolazamide,         tolbutamide, vildagliptin and voglibose,

as well as to the use of such compositions in the treatment of diabetes or a related disorder in a mammalian subject in need thereof.

An even more preferred object of this invention relates to compositions comprising at least two compounds selected from the group consisting of acamprosate, almitrine, azelastine, baclofen, carbetapentane, cinacalcet, dexbrompheniramine, diethylcarbamazine, D-mannose, fenspiride, ifenprodil, levosimendan, mexiletine, nicergoline, tolfenamic acid, tolperisone, torasemide and triamterene, in combination with one compound selected from the group consisting of glibenclamide, repaglinide, metformin and pioglitazone, as well as to the use of such compositions in the treatment of diabetes or a related disorder in a mammalian subject in need thereof.

Another preferred object of this invention relates to compositions comprising at least two compounds selected from the group consisting of acamprosate, almitrine, azelastine, baclofen, carbetapentane, cinacalcet, dexbrompheniramine, diethylcarbamazine, D-mannose, fenspiride, ifenprodil, levosimendan, mexiletine, nicergoline, tolfenamic acid, tolperisone, torasemide and triamterene, in combination with one compound selected from the group consisting of bezafibrate, ciprofibrate, clofibrate, gemfibrozil, fenofibrate and orlistat, as well as to the use of such compositions in the treatment of diabetes or a related disorder in a mammalian subject in need thereof.

Another preferred object of this invention relates to compositions comprising baclofen and acamprosate, in combination with one compound selected from the group consisting of pioglitazone, rosiglitazone, bezafibrate, ciprofibrate, clofibrate, fenofibrate, gemfibrozil, buformin, colesevelam and orlistat, as well as to the use of such compositions in the treatment of diabetes or a related disorder in a mammalian subject in need thereof.

A more preferred object of this invention relates to compositions comprising metformin in combination with at least one of the following combinations of compounds:

-   -   ifenprodil and acamprosate,     -   ifenprodil and baclofen,     -   baclofen and acamprosate,     -   mexiletine and cinacalcet,     -   mexiletine and torasemide,     -   sulfisoxazole and torasemide,     -   azelastine and nicergoline,     -   idebenone and nicergoline,     -   carbetapentane and nicergoline,     -   almitrine and nicergoline,     -   cimetidine and nicergoline,     -   diethylcarbamazine and nicergoline,     -   ifenprodil and nicergoline,     -   azelastine and idebenone,     -   acamprosate and nicergoline,     -   azelastine and carbetapentane,     -   azelastine and almitrine,     -   idebenone and carbetapentane,     -   idebenone and almitrine,     -   triamterene and nicergoline,     -   D-mannose and nicergoline,     -   idebenone and diethylcarbamazine,     -   ifenprodil and fenspiride,     -   ifenprodil and torasemide,     -   ifenprodil and triamterene,     -   ifenprodil and tolfenamic acid,     -   fenspiride and torasemide,     -   fenspiride and triamterene,     -   fenspiride and tolfenamic acid,     -   torasemide and triamterene,     -   torasemide and tolfenamic acid,     -   triamterene and tolfenamic acid, or     -   D-mannose and baclofen.

Another more preferred object of this invention relates to the use of such compositions in the treatment of diabetes or a related disorder in a mammalian subject in need thereof. The above combinations comprising one or more drugs of the invention and a known drug listed in Table 2, or a combination thereof, allow a diminution of the dosage of these drugs for the treatment of diabetes. This lowering permits the avoidance or delays the appearance of known drawbacks for these drugs (Table 2; e.g., resistance to treatment increasing with time, weight gain, peripheral edema, renal toxicity due to lactic acidosis).

As already mentioned, in the above-mentioned combinatorial therapies, drugs may be administered together or separately, at the same time or sequentially, depending on the specific pharmacokinetic features of each drug, in order to produce a combined or synergistic effect in the organism.

The above combinations can also be used in conjunction with any other therapy used for regulating glucose blood level; such therapy can be, more particularly, the well-known diabetes-specific diet (high in dietary fiber, low in fat, low in sugar), natural supplement such as extracts or parts of Cinnamonum cassia, moringa, ginseng, gymnema, aloe vera, walnut leaf, myrcia, garlic, Grifola frondosa, Reishi, Agaricus blazei, Agrocibe cylindracea, Cordyceps, agrimony, alfalfa, coriander, eucalyptus, or juniper, as well as oligo elements like chromium, vanadium, magnesium, or zinc.

Therapy according to the invention may be provided at home, a doctor's office, a clinic, a hospital's outpatient department, or a hospital, so that one can observe the therapy's effects closely and make any adjustments that are needed as a function of measured blood glucose levels.

The duration of the therapy depends on the stage of the disease being treated, age and condition of the patient, and how the patient responds to the treatment. The dosage, frequency and mode of administration of the drugs or each component of the drug combinations of the invention can be controlled independently. For example, one drug of a combination may be administered orally while the second drug may be administered intramuscularly or at different times throughout the day. The drugs may also be formulated together such that one administration delivers all drugs.

The treatment of the invention can be administered during particular periods of the day, for example, on time or just before or just after the time the glucose concentration reaches its peak in the plasma. Glycemia can easily be determined, even by the patients themselves, using different commercially available glucometers. The time and dosage of the treatment can therefore be adapted as a function of the measured glycemia. If there is sequential administration, the administration can be dependent on the blood glucose concentration, for example, the first active ingredient is administered before the glucose peak while the other is administered after the glucose peak. Usually, the glucose concentration reaches its peak in the plasma of a subject after meals.

The administration of each drug of the combination may be by any suitable means that results in a concentration of the drug that, combined with the other component, is able to control blood glucose levels.

While it is possible for the drug or the drugs of the combination to be administered as the pure chemical it is preferable to present them as a pharmaceutical composition, also referred to in this context as a pharmaceutical formulation. Possible compositions include those suitable for oral, rectal, topical (including transdermal, buccal and sublingual), or parenteral (including subcutaneous, intramuscular, intravenous and intradermal) administration.

More commonly these pharmaceutical formulations are prescribed to the patient in “patient packs” containing a number dosing units or other means for administration of metered unit doses for use during a distinct treatment period in a single package, usually a blister pack. Patient packs have an advantage over traditional prescriptions, where a pharmacist divides a patient's supply of a pharmaceutical from a bulk supply, in that the patient always has access to the package insert contained in the patient pack, normally missing in traditional prescriptions. The inclusion of a package insert has been shown to improve patient compliance with the physician's instructions. Thus, the invention further includes a pharmaceutical formulation, as herein before described, in combination with packaging material suitable for said formulation. In such a patient pack the intended use of a formulation for the combination treatment can be inferred by instructions, facilities, provisions, adaptations and/or other means to help use the formulation most suitably for the treatment. Such measures make a patient pack specifically suitable and adapted for use for treatment with the compositions of the present invention.

The drug may be contained, in any appropriate amount, in any suitable carrier substance. The drug may be present in an amount of up to 99% by weight of the total weight of the composition. The composition may be provided in a dosage form that is suitable for the oral, parenteral (e.g., intravenous, intramuscular), rectal, cutaneous, nasal, vaginal, inhalant, skin (patch), or ocular administration route. Thus, the composition may be in the form of, e.g., tablets, capsules, pills, powders, granulates, suspensions, emulsions, solutions, gels including hydrogels, pastes, ointments, creams, plasters, drenches, osmotic delivery devices, suppositories, enemas, injectables, implants, sprays, or aerosols.

The pharmaceutical compositions may be formulated according to conventional pharmaceutical practice (see, e.g., Remington: The Science and Practice of Pharmacy (20th ed.), ed. A. R. Gennaro, Lippincott Williams & Wilkins, 2000 and Encyclopedia of Pharmaceutical Technology, eds. J. Swarbrick and J. C. Boylan, 1988-1999, Marcel Dekker, New York).

Pharmaceutical compositions according to the invention may be formulated to release the active drug substantially immediately upon administration or at any predetermined time or time period after administration.

Controlled release formulations include (i) formulations that create a substantially constant concentration of the drug(s) within the body over an extended period of time; (ii) formulations that after a predetermined lag time create a substantially constant concentration of the drug(s) within the body over an extended period of time; (iii) formulations that sustain drug(s) action during a predetermined time period by maintaining a relatively constant, effective drug level in the body with concomitant minimization of undesirable side effects associated with fluctuations in the plasma level of the active drug substance; (iv) formulations that localize drug(s) action by, e.g., spatial placement of a controlled release composition adjacent to or in the diseased tissue or organ; and (v) formulations that target drug(s) action by using carriers or chemical derivatives to deliver the drug to a particular target cell type.

Administration of drugs in the form of a controlled release formulation is especially preferred in cases in which the drug has (i) a narrow therapeutic index (i.e., the difference between the plasma concentration leading to harmful side effects or toxic reactions and the plasma concentration leading to a therapeutic effect is small (in general, the therapeutic index, TI, is defined as the ratio of median lethal dose (LD50) to median effective dose (ED50)); (ii) a narrow absorption window in the gastro-intestinal tract; or (iii) a very short biological half-life so that frequent dosing during a day is required in order to sustain the plasma level at a therapeutic level.

Any of a number of strategies can be pursued in order to obtain controlled release in which the rate of release outweighs the rate of metabolism of the drug in question. Controlled release may be obtained by appropriate selection of various formulation parameters and ingredients, including, e.g., various types of controlled release compositions and coatings. Thus, the drug is formulated with appropriate excipients into a pharmaceutical composition that, upon administration, releases the drug in a controlled manner (single or multiple unit tablet or capsule compositions, oil solutions, suspensions, emulsions, microcapsules, microspheres, nanoparticles, patches, and liposomes).

Solid Dosage Forms for Oral Use

Formulations for oral use include tablets containing the composition of the invention in a mixture with non-toxic pharmaceutically acceptable excipients. These excipients may be, for example, inert diluents or fillers (e.g., sucrose, microcrystalline cellulose, starches including potato starch, calcium carbonate, sodium chloride, calcium phosphate, calcium sulfate, or sodium phosphate); granulating and disintegrating agents (e.g., cellulose derivatives including microcrystalline cellulose, starches including potato starch, croscarmellose sodium, alginates, or alginic acid); binding agents (e.g., acacia, alginic acid, sodium alginate, gelatin, starch, pregelatinized starch, microcrystalline cellulose, carboxymethylcellulose sodium, methylcellulose, hydroxypropyl methylcellulose, ethylcellulose, polyvinylpyrrolidone, or polyethylene glycol); and lubricating agents, glidants, and antiadhesives (e.g., stearic acid, silicas, or talc). Other pharmaceutically acceptable excipients can be colorants, flavoring agents, plasticizers, humectants, buffering agents, and the like.

The tablets may be uncoated or they may be coated by known techniques, optionally to delay disintegration and absorption in the gastrointestinal tract and thereby providing a sustained action over a longer period. The coating may be adapted to release the active drug substance in a predetermined pattern (e.g., in order to achieve a controlled release formulation) or it may be adapted not to release the active drug substance until after passage of the stomach (enteric coating). The coating may be a sugar coating, a film coating (e.g., based on hydroxypropyl methylcellulose, methylcellulose, methyl hydroxyethylcellulose, hydroxypropylcellulose, carboxymethylcellulose, acrylate copolymers, polyethylene glycol and/or polyvinylpyrrolidone), or an enteric coating (e.g., based on methacrylic acid copolymer, cellulose acetate phthalate, hydroxypropyl methylcellulose phthalate, hydroxypropyl methylcellulose acetate succinate, polyvinyl acetate phthalate, shellac, and/or ethylcellulose). A time delay material such as glyceryl monostearate or glyceryl distearate may be employed.

The solid tablet compositions may include a coating adapted to protect the composition from unwanted chemical changes (e.g., chemical degradation prior to the release of the active drug substance). The coating may be applied on the solid dosage form in a similar manner to that described in the Encyclopedia of Pharmaceutical Technology.

Drugs may be mixed together in the tablet, or may be partitioned. For example, a first drug is contained on the inside of the tablet, and a second drug is on the outside, such that a substantial portion of the second drug is released prior to the release of the first drug.

Formulations for oral use may also be presented as chewable tablets, or as hard gelatin capsules wherein the active ingredient is mixed with an inert solid diluent (e.g., potato starch, microcrystalline cellulose, calcium carbonate, calcium phosphate or kaolin), or as soft gelatin capsules wherein the active ingredient is mixed with water or an oil medium, for example, liquid paraffin or olive oil. Powders and granulates may be prepared using the ingredients mentioned above under tablets and capsules in a conventional manner.

Controlled release compositions for oral use may, e.g., be constructed to release the active drug by controlling the dissolution and/or the diffusion of the active drug substance.

Dissolution or diffusion-controlled release can be achieved by appropriate coating of a tablet, capsule, pellet, or granulated formulation of drugs, or by incorporating the drug into an appropriate matrix. A controlled release coating may include one or more of the coating substances mentioned above and/or, e.g., shellac, beeswax, glycowax, castor wax, carnauba wax, stearyl alcohol, glyceryl monostearate, glyceryl distearate, glycerol palmitostearate, ethylcellulose, acrylic resins, DL-polylactic acid, cellulose acetate butyrate, polyvinyl chloride, polyvinyl acetate, vinyl pyrrolidone, polyethylene, polymethacrylate, methyl methacrylate, 2-hydroxymethacrylate, methacrylate hydrogels, 1,3 butylene glycol, ethylene glycol methacrylate, and/or polyethylene glycols. In a controlled release matrix formulation, the matrix material may also include, e.g., hydrated methylcellulose, carnauba wax, stearyl alcohol, carbopol 934, silicone, glyceryl tristearate, methyl acrylate-methyl methacrylate, polyvinyl chloride, polyethylene, and/or halogenated fluorocarbon.

A controlled release composition containing one or more of the drugs of the claimed combinations may also be in the form of a buoyant tablet or capsule (i.e., a tablet or capsule that, upon oral administration, floats on top of the gastric contents for a certain period of time). A buoyant tablet formulation of the drug(s) can be prepared by granulating a mixture of the drug(s) with excipients and 20-75% w/w of hydrocolloids, such as hydroxyethylcellulose, hydroxypropylcellulose, or hydroxypropylmethylcellulose. The obtained granules can then be compressed into tablets. On contact with the gastric juice, the tablet forms a substantially water-impermeable gel barrier around its surface. This gel barrier takes part in maintaining a density of less than one, thereby allowing the tablet to remain buoyant in the gastric juice.

Liquids for Oral Administration Powders, dispersible powders, or granules suitable for preparation of an aqueous suspension by addition of water are convenient dosage forms for oral administration. Formulation as a suspension provides the active ingredient in a mixture with a dispersing or wetting agent, suspending agent, and one or more preservatives. Suitable suspending agents are, for example, sodium carboxymethylcellulose, methylcellulose, sodium alginate, and the like.

Parenteral Compositions

The pharmaceutical composition may also be administered parenterally by injection, infusion or implantation (intravenous, intramuscular, subcutaneous, or the like) in dosage forms, formulations, or via suitable delivery devices or implants containing conventional, non-toxic pharmaceutically acceptable carriers and adjuvants. The formulation and preparation of such compositions are well-known to those skilled in the art of pharmaceutical formulation.

Compositions for parenteral use may be provided in unit dosage forms (e.g., in single-dose ampoules), or in vials containing several doses and in which a suitable preservative may be added (see below). The composition may be in form of a solution, a suspension, an emulsion, an infusion device, or a delivery device for implantation or it may be presented as a dry powder to be reconstituted with water or another suitable vehicle before use. Apart from the active drug(s), the composition may include suitable parenterally acceptable carriers and/or excipients. The active drug(s) may be incorporated into microspheres, microcapsules, nanoparticles, liposomes, or the like for controlled release. The composition may include suspending, solubilizing, stabilizing, pH-adjusting, and/or dispersing agents.

The pharmaceutical compositions according to the invention may be in a form suitable for sterile injection. To prepare such a composition, the suitable active drug(s) are dissolved or suspended in a parenterally acceptable liquid vehicle. Among acceptable vehicles and solvents that may be employed are water, water adjusted to a suitable pH by addition of an appropriate amount of hydrochloric acid, sodium hydroxide or a suitable buffer, 1,3-butanediol, Ringer's solution, and isotonic sodium chloride solution. The aqueous formulation may also contain one or more preservatives (e.g., methyl, ethyl or n-propyl p-hydroxybenzoate). In cases where one of the drugs is only sparingly or slightly soluble in water, a dissolution-enhancing or solubilizing agent can be added, or the solvent may include 10-60% w/w of propylene glycol or the like.

Controlled release parenteral compositions may be in form of aqueous suspensions, microspheres, microcapsules, magnetic microspheres, oil solutions, oil suspensions, or emulsions. Alternatively, the active drug(s) may be incorporated in biocompatible carriers, liposomes, nanoparticles, implants, or infusion devices. Materials for use in the preparation of microspheres and/or microcapsules are, e.g., biodegradable/bioerodible polymers such as polygalactin, poly-(isobutyl cyanoacrylate), or poly-(2-hydroxyethyl-L-glutamine). Biocompatible carriers that may be used when formulating a controlled release parenteral formulation are carbohydrates (e.g., dextrans), proteins (e.g., albumin), lipoproteins, or antibodies. Materials for use in implants can be non-biodegradable (e.g., polydimethyl siloxane) or biodegradable (e.g., poly(caprolactone), poly(glycolic acid) or poly(ortho esters)).

Alternative Routes

Although less preferred and less convenient, other administration routes, and therefore other formulations, may be contemplated. In this regard, for rectal application, suitable dosage forms for a composition include suppositories (emulsion or suspension type) and rectal gelatin capsules (solutions or suspensions). In a typical suppository formulation, the active drug(s) are combined with an appropriate pharmaceutically acceptable suppository base such as cocoa butter, esterified fatty acids, glycerinated gelatin, and various water-soluble or dispersible bases like polyethylene glycols. Various additives, enhancers, or surfactants may be incorporated.

The pharmaceutical compositions may also be administered topically on the skin for percutaneous absorption in dosage forms or formulations containing conventionally non-toxic pharmaceutical acceptable carriers and excipients including microspheres and liposomes. The formulations include creams, ointments, lotions, liniments, gels, hydrogels, solutions, suspensions, sticks, sprays, pastes, plasters, and other kinds of transdermal drug delivery systems. The pharmaceutically acceptable carriers or excipients may include emulsifying agents, antioxidants, buffering agents, preservatives, humectants, penetration enhancers, chelating agents, gel-forming agents, ointment bases, perfumes, and skin protective agents.

The preservatives, humectants, and penetration enhancers may be parabens, such as methyl or propyl p-hydroxybenzoate, and benzalkonium chloride, glycerin, propylene glycol, urea, etc.

The pharmaceutical compositions described above for topical administration on the skin may also be used in connection with topical administration onto or close to the part of the body that is to be treated. The compositions may be adapted for direct application or application by means of special drug delivery devices such as dressings or, alternatively, plasters, pads, sponges, strips, or other forms of suitable flexible material.

Dosages and Duration of the Treatment

A composition according to the invention is administered to a subject orally or by subcutaneous, intravenous or intramuscular injections, at different times of day, to alter the blood glucose level. In carrying out this process, where it is desired to modify, regulate, or normalize the blood glucose level of a mammalian, to treat diabetes or a related disorder, or both, a composition of the invention is administered in a dosage amount sufficient to alter, regulate or normalize the glucose level in the blood of the subject. A composition of the invention can be administered to a mammalian, particularly a human, exhibiting an abnormal blood glucose level, at a particular period of the day, for example, on time or just before or just after the time the glucose concentration reaches its peak in the plasma. The level of glucose in the blood of a mammal is time-of-day dependent and cyclic. The glucose level in blood rises and falls at different times of day, preferably dependent on the time of meals and physical activity/exercise. Usually, the glucose concentration reaches its peak in the plasma of a subject after meals; therefore a composition of the invention can be, for example, preferably administered from 2 hours before meals to 2 hours after meals, more preferably from one hour before meals to one hour after meals, and even more preferably during meals, to achieve maximal therapeutic efficacy.

It will be appreciated that the drugs of the combination may be administered concomitantly, either in the same or different pharmaceutical formulations or sequentially. A minimum requirement for a combination according to this description is that the combination should be intended for combined use with the benefit of the efficacious effect of the combination of the active ingredients. The intended use of a combination can be inferred by facilities, provisions, adaptations and/or other means to help use the combination according to the invention.

Therapeutically effective amounts of the drugs in a combination of this invention include, e.g., amounts that are effective for controlling blood or plasma glucose levels.

Administration can be one to several times daily for several days to several years, and may even be for the life of the patient. Chronic or at least periodically repeated long-term administration is indicated in most cases.

The term “unit dosage form” refers to physically discrete units (such as capsules, tablets, or loaded syringe cylinders) suitable as unitary dosages for human subjects, each unit containing a predetermined quantity of active material or materials calculated to produce the desired therapeutic effect, in association with the required pharmaceutical carrier.

The amount of each drug in a preferred unit dosage composition depends upon several factors including the administration method, the body weight and age of the patient, the stage of the disease, and the risk of potential side effects considering the general health status of the person to be treated. Additionally, pharmacogenomic (the effect of genotype on the pharmacokinetic, pharmacodynamic or efficacy profile of a therapeutic) information about a particular patient may affect the dosage used.

Except when responding to especially impaired glucose levels where higher dosages may be required, the preferred dosage of each drug in the combination will usually lie within the range of doses not above the dosage usually prescribed for long-term maintenance treatment or proven to be safe in phase 3 clinical studies.

One remarkable advantage of the invention is that each compound may be used at low doses in a combination therapy, while producing, in combination, a substantial clinical benefit to the patient. The combination therapy may indeed be effective at doses where the compounds have individually low or no effect. Accordingly, a particular advantage of the invention lies in the ability to use sub-optimal doses of each compound, i.e., doses which are lower than the therapeutic doses usually prescribed, preferably ½ of therapeutic doses, more preferably ⅓, ¼, ⅕, or even more preferably 1/10 of therapeutic doses. In particular examples, doses as low as 1/20, 1/30, 1/50, 1/100, or even lower, of therapeutic doses are used.

At such sub-therapeutic dosages, the compounds would exhibit no or fewer side effects, while the combinations according to the invention are fully effective in controlling glucose blood or plasma levels.

A preferred dosage corresponds to amounts from 1% to 50% of those usually prescribed for long-term maintenance treatment.

The most preferred dosage may correspond to amounts from 1% to 10% of those usually prescribed for long-term maintenance treatment.

Specific examples of dosages of drugs for use in the invention are provided below:

-   -   Acamprosate orally from about 9 to 200 mg per day,     -   Almitrine orally from about 0.5 to 10 mg per day,     -   Amlexanox orally from about 0.75 to 15 mg per day,     -   Azelastine orally from about 0.04 to 0.4 mg per day,     -   Baclofen orally from about 0.15 to 50 mg per day,     -   Carbetapentane orally from about 0.6 to 18 mg per day,     -   Cimetidine orally from about 4 to 160 mg per day,     -   Cinacalcet orally from about 0.3 to 36 mg per day,     -   D-mannose orally from 0.01 to 1.6 g per day,     -   Dexbrompheniramine orally from about 0.06 to 1.2 mg per day,     -   Diethylcarbamazine orally from about 0.6 to 600 mg per day,     -   Diprophylline orally from about 9 to 320 mg per day,     -   Fenspiride orally from 1.6 to 24 mg per day,     -   Fexofenadine orally from 1.2 to 18 mg per day,     -   Idebenone orally from about 4.5 mg to 225 mg per day,     -   Ifenprodil orally from about 0.4 to 6 mg per day,     -   Levosimendan orally from about 0.05 to 4 mg per day,     -   Metformin orally from about 1 mg to 2.5 mg per day,     -   Mexiletine orally from about 6 to 120 mg per day,     -   Nicergoline orally from about 0.6 to 6 mg per day,     -   Piribedil orally from about 0.8 to 25 mg per day,     -   Rilmenidine orally from about 10 to 200 μg per day,     -   Tolperisone orally from about 1.5 to 4.5 mg per day,     -   Tolfenamic acid orally from about 3 to 60 mg per day,     -   Torasemide orally from about 0.05 to 4 mg per day, and     -   Triamterene orally from about 1.5 to 25 mg per day.

In combinations of the invention, the molar ratio between drugs may vary, e.g., from 0.001 to 1000. Also, the ratio of the drug(s) and excipient in a composition of the invention advantageously vary between 0.001 and 1000.

It will be understood that the amount of the drug actually administered will be determined by a physician, in light of the relevant circumstances including the condition or conditions to be treated, the exact composition to be administered, the age, weight, and response of the individual patient, the severity of the patient's symptoms, and the chosen route of administration. Therefore, the above dosage ranges are intended to provide general guidance and support for the teachings herein, but are not intended to limit the scope of the invention.

The following examples are given for purposes of illustration and not by way of limitation.

Examples

Diabetes is a metabolic disease that profoundly affects energy homeostasis and the high plasmatic level of glucose observed in patients can have multiple causes. Type 1 diabetes is characterized by the destruction of 13 cells of Langerhans islets. Type 2 diabetes is characterized, in part, by a decrease of the production of insulin by the pancreatic β cells, a progressive death of 13 cells, insulin resistance (i.e., lower capture of glucose by muscle cells and adipocytes), or an abnormal elevation of hepatic gluconeogenesis. Hence, the efficacy determination of candidate compounds is based on several in vitro and in vivo studies in order to address most of the metabolic and physiological impairments characterizing this complex pathology. The drugs were first tested individually, followed by assays of their combinatorial action. Drug activity is determined on various models which illustrate different physiological features representative of an abnormal blood glucose level such as those involved in diabetes or related disorders.

1. In Vitro Studies

1.1 Prevention of Beta Cells Apoptosis

Drugs of the invention have been tested for their efficiency in protecting beta cells from apoptosis. Such activity could be considered of use in type 1 diabetes as well as type 2 diabetes.

Cell Culture and Media

The beta pancreatic INS-1 cells have been selected for this study. The cells are cultured in complete medium, RPMI 1640 10 mM glucose supplemented with 1 mM sodium pyruvate, 50 μM 2-mercaptoethanol, 2 mM glutamine, 10 mM HEPES, 100 IU/mL penicillin, 100 μg/mL streptomycin and 10% heat-inactivated fetal calf serum (FCS), as described by Asfari et al. (23). INS-1 cells are plated (4.5×10⁴ cells/well) in 96-well poly-ornithine coated plates and cultured at 37° C. in a humidified atmosphere of 95% air/5% CO₂. The day after, cells are pre-incubated with the tested molecules for 1 h. Then, after a medium change, cells are cultured for 24 h in a medium containing the tested molecules and 30 mM glucose, 0.05 mM myristic acid, 25 ng/mL INF, 25 ng/mL TNF and 5 ng/mL IL.

Apoptosis Quantification

The efficacy of compounds to prevent apoptosis is then evaluated by the highly specific apoptosis detection kit from Chemicon (Ref. APT225). This procedure is based on the detection of single-stranded DNA (ssDNA) which is a specific marker of apoptotic cells (24).

Results are expressed in optical density (OD) arbitrary unit and % of reduction of the apoptosis induced by apoptotic condition. Following a Dunnett t-test, all compounds showing a significant decrease in % of apoptotic cells compared to apoptotic control conditions are considered active.

Results

Results are shown in FIG. 1 and Table 3 and demonstrate that the drugs of the invention, when tested alone, induce a substantial protective effect against apoptosis of beta cells. In FIG. 1, D-mannose induces a significant and complete protection of beta cells against apoptosis when compared to non-treated cells in apoptotic conditions. D-mannose confers more than 129% of protection against apoptosis. Similarly, Table 3 displays the percentage of protection conferred by drugs of the invention.

TABLE 3 Drugs Percentage of apoptosis reduction D-mannose 129%  Mexiletine 74% Tolperisone 78% Baclofen 84% Cinacalcet 167%  Dexbrompheniramine 76% Diethylcarbamazine 44% Nicergoline 112%  Torasemide 67% Triamterene 64% Almitrine 103%  Azelastine 81% Acamprosate 49% Carbetapentane 103%  Ifenprodil 54% Levosimendan 118% 

1.2 Insulin Secretion in Response to Glucose Stimulation

Cell Culture and Media

The beta pancreatic INS-1 cells have been selected for their insulin secretion profile in response to glucose and to other physiological or pharmacological insulin secretagogues such as sulfonylureas and GLP-1. The cells are cultured in complete medium, RPMI 1640 10 mM glucose supplemented with 1 mM sodium pyruvate, 50 μM 2-mercaptoethanol, 2 mM glutamine, 10 mM HEPES, 100 IU/mL penicillin, 100 μg/mL streptomycin and 10% heat-inactivated fetal calf serum (FCS), as described by Asfari et al. (23). For the insulin secretion assay, INS-1 cells are plated (4.5×10⁴ cells/well) and cultured in 96-well poly-ornithine coated plates. After 3 days of culture at 37° C. in a humidified atmosphere of 95% air/5% CO₂, the medium is removed and cells are cultured for 16 h in a medium containing 5 mM glucose, 1% FCS (and the tested drugs for long-term evaluation).

The day of the insulin secretion test, the cells are washed with Krebs-Ringer Bicarbonate HEPES buffer (KRBH; pH 7.4) and 0.1% Bovin Serum Albumin (BSA) and pre-incubated for 30 min at 37° C. in KRBH 0.1% BSA containing 2.8 mM glucose.

The cells are washed again with KRBH and incubated for 1 h in KRBH 0.1% BSA containing 3.5 mM glucose and the tested molecules. The supernatants are collected for insulin determination and lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) activity measurement.

Insulin Quantification

The insulin concentration in the collected supernatants is measured by an ELISA kit according to the manufacturer's recommendations and using a rat insulin antibody (Rat High Range Insulin ELISA, ALPCO Cat. no. 80-INSRTH-E10). Very briefly, rat monoclonal antibodies specific for insulin are immobilized to 96-well plates. Standards, samples and controls are added to the appropriate wells with a horseradish peroxidase enzyme-labeled monoclonal antibody (conjugate). After incubation, the microplates are washed to remove unbound conjugate and a TMB substrate solution is added to react with the bound conjugate. Finally, after addition of a stop solution, the optical density is measured at 450 nm using a reference wavelength of 620 nm. The intensity of the yellow color is directly proportional to the amount of insulin within the samples.

The efficacy of the drugs is demonstrated by evaluating the quantity of insulin (expressed in pmol/L) secreted in the absence or presence of drugs of the invention in the medium.

Results

Drugs of the invention induce insulin secretion in response to glucose stimulation. For example, FIGS. 2 and 3 show that triamterene (10 μM, +37%) and cinacalcet (1 μM, +55%), respectively, can significantly enhance the secretion of insulin in response to glucose stimulation, following a short-term or long-term incubation, respectively.

1.3 Glucose Uptake in Muscles or Adipocytes

1.3.1 Glucose Uptake in Mouse Muscle Cells Drugs of the invention have been tested in several models for insulin resistance. Glucose uptake-enhancing capacities of compositions of the invention were measured both in muscle cells and in adipocytes either in normal or pathological conditions. Depending on culture conditions, the muscle cells either exhibit continuous mitosis or alternatively terminally differentiate into myotubes.

Cell Culture and Media

H-2 Kb mouse muscle cells are grown for 4 days on 24-well plates coated with matrigel at a density of 0.8×10⁴ cells/well under permissive conditions (33° C. in a humidified atmosphere of 95% air/10% CO₂; DMEM 5.5 mM D-glucose supplemented with 20% FCS, 10% horse serum, 2% glutamine, 0.5% chicken embryo, 20 mU/mL mouse INFγ, 100 U/mL penicillin, and 100 μg/mL streptomycin) as described previously by Fryer et al. (25). For differentiation in myoblast, cells are switched to non-permissive culture conditions (37° C. in a humidified atmosphere of 95% air/5% CO₂; DMEM 5.5 mM D-glucose supplemented with 2% FCS, 10% horse serum, 2% glutamine, 1% chicken embryo, 100 U/mL penicillin, and 100 μg/mL streptomycin).

Glucose Uptake

For long-term effect evaluation, the day before glucose uptake assay, cells are incubated in DMEM 5.5 mM D-glucose supplemented with 10% horse serum, 2% SVF, 1% chicken embryo, and 2% glutamine in the presence of the tested molecules for 16 h. The day after, and prior to the test, cells are washed and incubated in the presence of the tested molecules for 4 h more, in a serum-free medium (DMEM) containing 5.5 mM D-glucose.

For short-term effect evaluation, 4 hours prior to the glucose test, cells are washed and incubated in a serum-free medium (DMEM) containing 5.5 mM D-glucose and the tested molecules. Then glucose uptake is measured by incubation of the cells for 5-10 min with radiolabeled 2-deoxy-D-[1,2³H] glucose in Krebs-Ringer HEPES buffer (KRBH; pH 7.4), 0.1% Bovine Serum Albumin (BSA), and fraction V (Sigma, A-4503). Glucose uptake is arrested by two washing steps in ice-cold NaCl 0.9%. Then cells are solubilized in 0.1N NaOH for 30 min. Cell-associated radioactivity is then counted and protein quantification is determined using the colorimetric Lowry method. Glucose uptake is estimated by measuring the radioactivity incorporated to the cells by a MicroBeta counter after adding 600 μL per well of scintillant (Optiphase SuperMix3).

Protein quantification is performed by a colorimetric assay derived from the Lowry method.

Results are expressed in nmol glucose incorporated/5 mn/mg protein and in % of control or basal condition (100%).

Results

Drugs of the invention, tested alone, can enhance glucose uptake in muscle cells. For example, FIGS. 4, 5 and 6 show that the glucose uptake by H-2 Kb muscle cells is significantly enhanced after short-term incubation with acamprosate (0.1 μM, +45%) and almitrine (1 μM, +80%) or after long-term incubation by nicergoline (10 μM, +28%), respectively, when compared to non-treated muscle cells.

1.3.2 Glucose Uptake in Human Diabetic Myotube Primary Cultures

In order to have a model that is most reflective of diabetic pathological conditions, the efficiency of drugs in enhancing glucose uptake in diabetic myotubes was tested. Indeed, it has been demonstrated that the diabetic phenotype is conserved in myotubes established from diabetic subjects.

Cell Culture and Media

The myotubes from a diabetic patient were grown on HAM's F10-based media (Sigma, ref. N6908) supplemented with 15% of fetal bovine serum, 1 mM glutamine.

Myoblasts were seeded at 380,000 cells/well in 12-well plates. After 2 days of proliferation, the cells were placed in reduced serum conditions (2% horse serum) to induce differentiation. The myotubes were used after 5 days of differentiation.

Dulbecco's modified Eagle's medium (DMEM)-based media (Gibco, ref. 31053-028) supplemented with 2% heat-inactivated horse serum, 2% Glutamax (Gibco, ref. 35050) and washed for glucose uptake assays. Compounds were dissolved in DMSO to reach the desired final concentration prior to use.

The differentiated myotubes were treated for 24 h with the compositions of the invention before the assay.

Glucose Uptake Assay

Before the initiation of glucose uptake, the cells were deprived of serum and glucose. A deprivation was first performed in DMEM media containing reduced glucose (1 g/L) and no serum. After adding the compounds at the desired concentrations, the cells were incubated at 37° C. during 2 h30. The control with insulin allows the measurement of glucose uptake induction through the insulin pathway. Insulin treatment (100 nM) was done during 30 min at 37° C. A subsequent glucose and serum deprivation was performed in HBS buffer at 37° C. for 2 hours. The cells were treated with a mixture of 2-[³H]deoxyglucose 10 Ci/mM+2-deoxy-D-glucose at 10 μM for 30 min. The cells were rinsed twice with 1 mL of cold PBS. The lysis was performed in 500 μL of 0.05N NaOH for 20 minutes. The cell lysates were transferred into scintillation vials for the measurement of radioactivity with a MicroBeta counter.

Results

Compositions of the invention can enhance glucose uptake in human primary myotubes. For example, FIGS. 13, 14, 15, 16 and 17 show that the glucose uptake in diabetic myotubes is improved after pre-incubation by torasemide (+24%, 18% respectively at 0.01 μM and 0.1 μM p<0.01 and +14% at 1 μM p<0.05), fenspiride (+34%, +30%, respectively at 0.01 μM and 0.1 μM p<0.01 and +27% at 1 μM, p<0.05), tolfenamic acid (+13%, +13% and +12%, respectively at 0.01 μM, 0.1 μM and 1 μM, p<0.05), ifenprodil (+48% at 0.01 μM, p=0.07 and improvement at 0.1 μM and 1 μM) and triamterene (0.01 μM, +13%, p<0.05).

1.3.3 Glucose Uptake in 3T3-L1 Adipocyte Cells

3T3-L1 cells are fibroblasts which, under appropriate conditions, differentiate into adipocyte-like cells. These cells are used to show that compositions of the invention increase the glucose uptake in adipocytes, when compared to controls.

Cell Culture and Differentiation

3T3-L1 preadipocyte cells were cultured in DMEM containing 1% penicillin-streptomycin (PS) and 10% bovine calf serum at 37° C. in a 5% CO₂ atmosphere. To induce differentiation, 2-day post-confluent preadipocytes were cultured in MDI differentiation medium I (DMEM containing 1% PS, 10% FBS, 0.5 mM IBMX, 1 μM dexamethasone, 0.5 μg/mL insulin) for 2 days. Differentiation, as measured by the expression of adipogenic markers and the appearance of lipid droplets, usually reaches completion between days 4 and 8.

Glucose Uptake Activity Assay

Glucose uptake activity was analyzed by measuring the uptake of radiolabeled glucose.

Differentiated 3T3-L1 adipocytes grown in 12-well plates were washed twice with serum-free DMEM and incubated for 2 h at 37° C. with 1 mL DMEM containing 0.1% BSA. The cells were washed three times with Krebs-Ringer-HEPES (KRH) buffer (20 mM HEPES, pH 7.4, 136 mM NaCl, 4.7 mM KCl, 1.25 mM MgSO₄, 1.25 mM CaCl₂, and 2 mg/mL bovine serum albumin), and incubated at 37° C. for 30 min with 0.9 mL of KRH buffer.

Next, cells were incubated with or without drugs for different durations in order to evaluate their short-term and long—term effects.

To evaluate their short-term effect, cells were incubated with drugs of the invention for 4 hours at 37° C. To evaluate the long-term effect of drugs of the invention, the day prior to the test, cells were pre-incubated with or without drugs for 16 h. The day after, prior to the test, cells were washed and incubated in the presence of the tested molecules for 4 h more.

Glucose uptake was initiated by the addition of 0.1 mL of KRH buffer containing 2-deoxy-D-[³H] glucose (37 MBq/L) and glucose (1 mM). After 20 min, glucose uptake was terminated by washing the cells three times with cold PBS. The cells were lysed through incubation for 20 min at 37° C. with 0.7 mL of Triton X-100. Level of radioactivity in the cell lysates was determined using a scintillation counter.

Protein quantification was performed by a colorimetric assay derived from the Lowry method.

Results are expressed in nmol glucose incorporated/5 mn/mg protein and in % of control or basal condition (100%).

Results

Drugs of the invention can enhance glucose uptake in adipocytes. For example, FIGS. 7, 12 and 8 show that the glucose uptake by differentiated 3T3-L1 adipocyte cells can be enhanced after short-term incubation by carbetapentane (0.1 μM, +58%) and piribedil (10 nM, +68%) or after long-term incubation by almitrine (1 μM, +69%), respectively.

1.3.4 Glucose Uptake in TNFα-Induced Insulin Resistant 3T3-L1 Differentiated Adipocytes

To evaluate the capacities of drugs of the invention, or combination thereof, to improve glucose uptake by adipocytes in insulin resistant conditions, cells were pretreated by TNF-α. Upon TNF-α exposure, a decrease in glucose uptake in response to insulin is expected. By contrast, an increase in glucose uptake in response to insulin is expected after treatment of the 3T3-L1 cells with TNF-α and acetylsalicylic acid (positive control).

Cell Culture and Differentiation

3T3L1 fibroblasts were maintained in DMEM 4.5 g/L glucose supplemented with 5% calf serum donor, 5% newborn calf serum, 100 U/mL penicillin, and 100 μg/mL streptomycin at 37° C. under a 10% CO₂ atmosphere. Cells were grown on 24-well plates at a density of 2560 cells/well in 0.5 mL of growth medium (DMEM 4.5 g/L glucose supplemented with 10% FCS, 100 U/mL penicillin, and 100 μg/mL streptomycin). Five days after plating (90% of confluence), the induction of adipocyte differentiation was carried out in DMEM 4.5 g/L glucose containing 10% FBS, 100 μM IBMX, 0.25 μM dexamethasone and 170 nM insulin. Two days after, the induction medium was removed and changed by DMEM 4.5 g/L glucose containing 10% FBS and insulin 170 nM. Fresh media were replaced after two days. Three days after, the adipocytes were incubated overnight in fasting medium (DMEM 4.5 g/L glucose containing 0.2 SVF, 100 U/mL penicillin, and 100 μg/mL streptomycin. Then the cells were treated with H₂O or 5 ng/mL of rat TNF-α (Peprotech, 400-14) for 48 h in DMEM 4.5 g/L glucose containing 10% FBS. The medium was refreshed every day. Glucose uptake was assayed in different conditions: the adipocytes were treated for the next 24 h with 0.1% DMSO with or without 5 ng/mL TNF-α, or with 5 ng/mL TNF-α and 5 mM acetylsalicylic acid, or with 5 ng/mL TNF-α and 100 nM insulin, or the tested compounds with 5 ng/mL TNF-α in the presence or absence of insulin (100 nM) as described below.

Glucose Uptake Activity Assay

Glucose uptake was measured by quantification of incorporated radiolabeled glucose, after an incubation step with 2-deoxy-D[1,2³H] glucose for 5 min. Glucose uptake was arrested by two washing steps in ice-cold PBS 1×, then were solubilized in 0.1N NaOH for 30 min. Cell-associated radioactivity was then counted using a MicroBeta counter after adding 600 μL per well of scintillant (Optiphase SuperMix3).

In parallel, protein quantification was determined by a colorimetric assay derived from the Lowry method. Results are expressed in nmol of glucose incorporated/5 mn/mg of protein and in % of control or basal condition (100%).

To assess cell viability, an LDH activity measurement was performed on the supernatants by using a UV method with a commercial kit (ABS Pentra LDH IFCC CP, ref. A11A01871). Very briefly, LDH reduces NAD⁺ to NADH by oxidation of lactate to pyruvate. The NADH produced was evaluated by measurement of the absorbance at 340 nm. The amount of NADH produced is proportional to the amount of LDH released in the culture medium as a result of cytotoxicity. Cell viability results are expressed in % of control or basal condition (100%).

Results

Drugs of the invention, tested alone, enhance glucose uptake in adipocytes in insulin resistance-mimicking conditions. For example, FIGS. 18, 19, 20 and 21 show that the glucose uptake by TNF-α-induced insulin-resistant 3T3-L1 adipocytes is significantly enhanced after long-term incubation by torasemide (+121% at 0.37 nM, p<0.05; +123% and +129%, respectively at 1 nM and 3.3 nM, p<0.01), ifenprodil (+140% at 1 μM, p<0.01 and improvement at 10 nM and 100 nM, not shown), fenspiride (+130% at 1 nM, p<0.01 and improvement at 0.37 nM and 3.3 nM, not shown) and tolfenamic acid (+127% at 10 nM, p<0.01 and improvement at 100 nM and 1 μM, not shown).

At concentrations for which no significant improvement is observed when used alone, drugs of the invention provide, upon their combined use, a significant improvement in glucose uptake. As exemplified for combinations of fenspiride with ifenprodil, triamterene or tolfenamic acid, and the combination of ifenprodil and tolfenamic acid, in FIGS. 24-27, respectively, the improvement significantly rises up to +124% when compared to insulin-resistant non-treated cells for drug concentrations as low as the nanomolar range.

Ifenprodil and fenspiride were also found to exert a significant enhancing effect on metformin treatment, a common antidiabetic, leading to an improvement of glucose uptake of 126% and 136%, where each of the drugs when used alone does not lead to any significant improvement (FIGS. 28 and 29). In spite of the use of sub-therapeutic doses of metformin, its combinations with fenspiride and ifenprodil result in a significant improvement of glucose uptake. Hence, using such doses of anti-diabetic chronic treatments with the compounds of the invention allows to expect to alleviate or to delay the side effects usually observed for these treatments.

Results of section 1.3 show that drugs of the invention are efficient in improving glucose uptake in normal muscle cells and adipocytes as well as in insulin resistance-mimicking conditions.

1.4 Glucose Production by Hepatic Cells

Cell Culture and Differentiation

Hepatocytes are isolated from 24 h-fasted male Wistar rats (200-250 g body weight) by ex situ liver perfusion in the presence of collagenase. Cell viability is validated by a trypan blue exclusion test. Then cells are suspended in Williams' medium supplemented with insulin and seeded onto six-well plates (8×10⁵ cells/well) and incubated at 37° C. in a humidified atmosphere of 95% air/5% CO₂. After plating, the medium is removed and cells are cultured for 16 h in RPMI medium without glucose (supplemented with the tested drugs for long-term evaluation). The following day, hepatic glucose production is assessed in Krebs-Ringer Bicarbonate HEPES buffer (KRBH; pH 7.4) in the presence of the neoglucogenic substrates (lactate 10 mM and pyruvate 1 mM) and the tested molecules for 4 h (short-term).

Glucose Quantification

Supernatants are collected and glucose concentrations are determined using a glucose oxidase kit (Instrumentation Laboratory 0018250840). In parallel, protein quantification is performed using the colorimetric Lowry method.

Results are expressed in nmol glucose/mg protein and % of control condition (KLP: KRBH containing lactate and pyruvate).

Results

Drugs of the invention, tested alone, can lower glucose production by hepatic cells. For example, FIGS. 9, 10 and 11 show that the glucose production by hepatocytes is significantly reduced after short-term treatment by D-mannose (10 μM, −22%) or after long-term treatment by ifenprodil (0.01 μM, −22%) or azelastine (10 μM, −36%).

1.5 Isolated Organs

1.5.1 Insulin and Glucagon Secretion in Isolated Islets of Langerhans

Isolated islets incubated with a range of glucose concentrations show a dose-dependent pattern of insulin release. Thus, the use of isolated islets is a physiological way of investigating the effects of candidate compounds as initiators and potentiators of insulin secretion.

Tissue Preparation

Rats are anesthetized by intra-peritoneal (ip) injection of ketamine/xylasine. The peritoneal cavity is exposed and the pancreatic main duct to the intestine is clamped. The pancreas is then cannulated via the common bile duct, distended with collagenase and removed. Islets are extracted, washed and passed through a sterile stainless steel screen before being centrifuged. Islets are then cleaned and placed into CMRL medium containing 2 mM glutamine, 10% fetal bovine serum and 1% antibiotic/antimycotic solution and put into a 37° C. culture chamber containing 5% CO₂.

Islet Perfusion

Islets are preincubated for 90 min in RPMI 1640 medium containing 10% FBS and 3 mM glucose at 37° C. with 5% CO₂. The islets of control and treated groups are then incubated in the glucose perfusion system with a constant flow rate (500 μL/mn) at 37° C. for 90 min. They are placed for 30 min in the basal conditions (3 mM glucose), for 30 min in a high-glucose concentrated (20 mM) medium and finally for 30 min back in the basal conditions (3 mM glucose). Throughout the perfusion, samples of medium are collected from the output fraction and frozen at −80° C. At the end of the perfusion, the islets are harvested and frozen at −80° C. The total protein in the islets is extracted by acid ethanol (0.18 M HCl in 95% ethanol). Quantifications of the intracellular or released insulin and glucagon in the collected output fractions are realized by ELISA.

1.5.2 Glucose Uptake in Isolated Muscles

Muscle Incubation Procedure

Excised epitrochlearis are incubated at 29° C. for 50 min in 3 mL of continuously gassed (95% O₂, 5% CO₂) preincubation medium, consisting of Krebs-Henseleit bicarbonate buffer (KHB), 8 mM glucose, 32 mM mannitol and 0.1% bovine serum albumin (BSA). Following the preincubation, the muscle is transferred to another vial and incubated at 29° C. for 10 min in 3 mL of continuously gassed wash-out medium, consisting of KHB, 2 mM pyruvate, 38 mM mannitol and 0.1% BSA.

Finally, the muscle is incubated at 29° C. for 20 min in 3 mL of uptake medium, which consists of KHB, 2 mM pyruvate, 6 mM glucose, 32 mM mannitol, and 0.1% BSA, with or without 280 μCi/mmol [³H] 2-deoxyglucose (2-DG) and 10 μCi/mmol [¹⁴C]-mannitol, and the designated treatment.

Immediately after incubation, muscles are briefly blotted on gauze wetted with 0.9% saline solution and freeze-clamped in liquid nitrogen.

Muscle Glucose Uptake Measurements

Glucose uptake is calculated from the incorporation rate of 2-DG into the muscle fibers during the 20 min of incubation in the uptake medium. Frozen muscle samples are digested in 1 mL 1M KOH at 60° C. for 20 min. Muscle homogenates are neutralized with 1 mL 1 M HCl and 300 μL are added in a scintillation cocktail. Duplicate samples are counted for ³H and ¹⁴C in an LS-6000 liquid scintillation spectrophotometer.

Muscle 2-DG uptake is calculated as the difference between total muscle 2-DG and 2-DG in the extracellular space. 2-DG concentration in the extracellular space is determined by the amount of [¹⁴C]-mannitol in the tissue.

1.5.3 Glucose Production from Isolated Perfused Liver

The isolated perfused rat model allows studying direct effects on the intact organ without the influence from extra-hepatic hormones and other systemic alterations of metabolic fluxes.

Preparation of Tissue

Rats are anesthetized by ip injection of thiopental (50 mg/kg). Hemoglobin-free, non-recirculating perfusion is performed. After cannulation of the portal and cava veins, the liver is positioned in a plexiglass chamber. The perfusion fluid is Krebs/Henseleit bicarbonate buffer (pH 7.4), saturated with a mixture of oxygen and carbon dioxide (95:5) by means of a membrane oxygenator with simultaneous temperature adjustment at 37° C. The flow, provided by a peristaltic pump, is between 30 and 33 mL/mn. Candidate compounds or vehicles are added to the perfusion fluid after having supplemented the Krebs/Henseleit bicarbonate buffer with fatty acid-free bovine serum albumin to ensure full dissolution of the drugs. For all concentrations of the drugs the molar albumin/drug ratio was equal to 2.4.

The cell viability of the perfused liver is judged from both the oxygen uptake rates and the perfusion fluid leakage from its surface. The livers are discarded when the oxygen uptake dropped to 0.7 μmol min⁻¹ g⁻¹ or when the surface fluid leakage surpassed 2.5% of the portal flow. Samples of the effluent perfusion fluid are collected and analyzed for their metabolite contents. The following compounds are assayed by means of standard enzymatic procedures: glucose, lactate and pyruvate. The oxygen concentration in the outflowing perfusate is monitored continuously, employing a Teflon-shielded platinum electrode adequately positioned in a plexiglass chamber at the exit of the perfusate. Metabolic rates are calculated from input-output differences and the total flow rates and are referred to as the wet weight of the liver.

1.6 Results Synthesis

Table 4 gathers results that were obtained in all previously described models (see sections 1.1 to 1.5 above). A value is attributed to each candidate compound depending on its effect in the different in vitro models compared to vehicle. Results are normalized and weighed in order to generate a relative performance value for each candidate compound. A high value reflects a high potential of the compound for the normalization of glucose levels and thus a significant efficacy for controlling glucose levels and/or for the treatment of diabetes or related disorders.

TABLE 4 Drug Name Relative performance value acamprosate 15 almitrine 38 azelastine 30 baclofen 16 carbetapentane 33 cimetidine 31 cinacalcet 32 dexbromopheniramine 21 diethylcarbamazine 32 diprophylline 11 D-mannose 18 idebenone 53 ifenprodil 28 levosimendan 20 mexiletine 10 nicergoline 40 piribedil 24 tolfenamic acid 9 tolperisone 19 torasemide 16 triamterene 18 rilmenidine 16

The efficacy of drug combinations of the invention is also assessed in the above in vitro models. The protocol used in these assays is the same as described in section 1 above. The drug combinations listed in Table 5 below show a particularly high relative performance value (determined as above).

Results

All the drug combinations detailed in Table 5 led to a global positive effect for the normalization of blood glucose levels, and are thus considered efficient in the treatment of diabetes.

TABLE 5 Drug combinations with a high relative value Efficacy in diabetes ifenprodil and acamprosate + ifenprodil and baclofen + baclofen and acamprosate + mexiletine and cinacalcet + mexiletine and torasemide + sulfisoxazole and torasemide + azelastine and nicergoline + idebenone and nicergoline + carbetapentane and nicergoline + almitrine and nicergoline + cimetidine and nicergoline + diethylcarbamazine and nicergoline + ifenprodil and nicergoline + azelastine and idebenone + acamprosate and nicergoline + azelastine and carbetapentane + azelastine and almitrine + idebenone and carbetapentane + idebenone and almitrine + triamterene and nicergoline + D-mannose and nicergoline + idebenone and diethylcarbamazine + baclofen and D-mannose + baclofen and metformin + D-mannose and metformin + baclofen and D-mannose and metformin + ifenprodil and fenspiride + ifenprodil and torasemide + ifenprodil and triamterene + ifenprodil and tolfenamic acid + fenspiride and torasemide + fenspiride and triamterene + fenspiride and tolfenamic acid + torasemide and triamterene + torasemide and tolfenamic acid + triamterene and tolfenamic acid + metformin and ifenprodil and fenspiride + metformin and ifenprodil and torasemide + metformin and ifenprodil and triamterene + metformin and ifenprodil and tolfenamic acid + metformin and fenspiride and torasemide + metformin and fenspiride and triamterene + metformin and fenspiride and tolfenamic acid + metformin and torasemide and triamterene + metformin and torasemide and tolfenamic acid + metformin and triamterene and tolfenamic acid +

2. In Vivo Studies

2.1 Anti-Inflammatory Effect of Combinations in Zucker Diabetic Fatty (ZDF) Rat Model

The efficacy of drug compositions of the invention comprising the compound(s) of Tables 4 and 5 is confirmed in the Zucker Diabetic Fatty (ZDF) rat model. The Zucker Diabetic Fatty (ZDF) rat is an accurate model for type 2 diabetes based on impaired glucose tolerance caused by the inherited obesity gene mutation which leads to insulin resistance. The fa mutation, which occurs in the ZDF rat, results in shortened leptin receptor protein which does not effectively interact with leptin. This mutation is phenotypically expressed as obesity with high levels of normal leptin in the blood.

It is known that inflammation plays a role in the etiology of type 2 diabetes and metabolic syndrome. Abnormally high plasmatic levels of C-reactive protein (CRP) are associated with diabetes and metabolic syndrome. ZDF rats have been used to study the effect of compositions of the invention on the inflammatory component of type 2 diabetes. ZDF rats show an increased level of plasmatic CRP.

Husbandry and Chronic Treatment

Rats were housed individually and kept at 22+/−2° C. on a 12-h light/dark cycle. Animals had access to food (Purina 5008) and water ad libitum. While one group received the vehicle, the other groups were treated with the candidate compounds listed in Tables 5 and 6 during 4 weeks. Administrations were performed twice a day by oral route.

Blood Samples

Blood samples were taken from the topically anesthetized tails of overnight-fasted rats in all groups.

Measurement of Plasma CRP Level

The CRP concentration in the plasma of all rats (lean rats, vehicle and baclofen-acamprosate treated ZDF rats) were measured by an ELISA kit according to the manufacturer's recommendations (ref. CYT294 from Millipore). The rat C-Reactive Protein (CRP) kit is a double polyclonal antibody sandwich enzyme immunoassay (EIA), which measures rat CRP. Standards, quality controls and samples of plasma were incubated for 30 min in microtitration wells coated with polyclonal anti-rat CRP antibody. After a thorough wash, polyclonal anti-rat CRP antibody labeled with horseradish peroxidase (HRP) was added to the wells and incubated for 30 minutes with the immobilized antibody-CRP complex. Following another washing step, the remaining HRP-conjugated antibody was allowed to react with the substrate and tetramethylbenzidine (TMB). The reaction (5-10 min) was stopped by addition of an acidic solution, and absorbance of the resulting yellow color product was measured spectrophotometrically at 450 nm. The absorbance is proportional to the concentration of CRP. A standard curve was constructed by plotting absorbance values versus CRP concentrations of standards, and concentrations of unknown samples were determined using this standard curve.

Results

Compositions of the invention are efficient in reducing CRP concentration in the plasma of ZDF rats. For example, FIG. 22 shows that the CRP concentration is significantly reduced by acamprosate and baclofen treatment (7.5 mg/kg and 0.5 mg/kg respectively) when compared to vehicle-treated ZDF rats, and reaches the CRP level of lean rats. These results suggest a systemic anti-inflammatory effect of combinations of the invention.

2.2 Glucose Homeostasis Control in Db/Db Mice Model

The db/db mouse strain, deficient in leptin receptor, is a well-known and characterized mouse model used to evaluate compounds targeting diabetes. db/+ heterozygous mouse was used as control.

Acclimatization and Pre-Study Periods

85 mice (8 weeks old, 75 db/db and 10 db/+) were purchased from Janvier (France). Animals were housed in 28 ventilated cages (530 cm²×20 cm) throughout the experimental phase. Animals' beddings were renewed twice a week. Small devices were placed in the cages for enrichment of environment (mouse houses and cellulose plugs). Mice were housed in groups of 2 animals with a normal 12-hour light cycle (lights off at 07:00 μm), 22±2° C. and 55±10% relative humidity. Mice had at least 14 days of acclimatization during which they were fed with a standard R04 chow diet (SAFE, Augy, France) and had free access to water.

After 12 days of acclimatization and 2 days (D0) before the beginning of the treatments, all mice were weighed and fasted for 6 hours from 08:00 am to 02:00 μm. Subsequently, body weight has been measured daily all along the study.

Blood (200 μL/EDTA) was collected from the retro bulbar sinus under isoflurane anesthesia. Plasma glucose and plasma insulin were quantified using enzymatic and immune-enzymatic methods, respectively, in order to randomize animals in homogeneous groups.

At Day 0, just before the gavage, a drop of blood was collected from the tail vein to measure the non-fasted blood glucose using a glucometer (SmartCheck®).

Test Groups

Mice were allocated to groups according to their body weight and fasted blood glucose (N=8 mice/group):

-   -   Lean controls (db/+ mice) treated with vehicle (per os, twice         daily).     -   Obese negative controls (db/db mice) treated with vehicle (per         os, twice daily).     -   Obese positive controls (db/db mice) treated with metformin at         300 mg/kg (per os, once daily).     -   Obese animals (db/db mice) treated with compounds or         compositions of the invention.

Treatment

The treatment study duration was 6 weeks. Mice were treated twice daily at 08:00 am and at 04:00 μm by gavage with vehicle, reference compound or PXT compounds with respect to the following ratio: 10 mL/kg dosing (up to 20 mL/kg/day max).

Gavage volumes have been adjusted individually to the body weight recorded in the morning.

During the treatment period, food and water consumption were monitored and recorded. Food intake was measured and recorded daily (difference between two consecutive days). The mean food intake expressed as grams of food consumed per animal per day were assigned to all the mice of the considered cage. Water intake was evaluated twice a week using the same method.

Once a week, at Days D7, D13, D21, D27, D35 and D41 just before the gavage, a drop of blood was collected from the tail vein to measure the non-fasted blood glucose using a glucometer (SmartCheck®).

At Days D14, D28 and D42, food was removed at 08:00 am. Blood (200 μL/EDTA) was collected from the retro bulbar sinus under anesthesia at 02:00 μm (after 6 hours of fasting) to measure fasting plasma glucose.

Glucose Quantification

Plasma glucose concentration was determined by a colorimetric method based on enzymatic oxidation of glucose in the presence of glucose oxidase. The produced hydrogen peroxide reacts with phenol and 4-aminophenazone in a reaction catalyzed by peroxidase to form a red-violet quinoneimine dye as indicator. The intensity of the final color is directly proportional to the glucose concentration and was measured at 505 nm.

Results

Compositions of the invention reduce glycemia in the plasma of db/db mice as soon as D28 of treatment (not shown). FIG. 23 shows that at D42, the glucose concentration is significantly reduced by administration of a combination of D-mannose (5 mg/kg), (RS)-baclofen (6 mg/kg) and metformin (150 mg/kg) when compared with vehicle-administered animals (p<0,001).

Noteworthily, the drugs, when used alone, do not induce any significant lowering of glycemia. More remarkably, compounds of the invention can be considered potent enhancers of currently known treatments for diabetes, thereby allowing the reduction of dosages and thus expecting a lowering of side effects.

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We claim:
 1. A method for treating diabetes or a related disease selected from impaired glucose tolerance, impaired fasting glucose, insulin resistance, metabolic syndrome, postprandial hyperglycemia and overweight or obesity in a mammalian subject in need thereof, comprising administering to said mammalian subject an effective amount of a composition comprising ifenprodil, or a salt, prodrug, or sustained release formulation thereof.
 2. The method of claim 1, wherein said method comprises administering to said mammalian subject a composition comprising an effective amount of ifenprodil, or a salt, prodrug or sustained release formulation thereof, and at least one additional compound selected from acamprosate, almitrine, amlexanox, azelastine, baclofen, carbetapentane, cinacalcet, dexbromopheniramine, diethylcarbamazine, D-mannose, fexofenadine, mexiletine, nicergoline, tolperisone, torasemide, triamterene, tolfenamic acid, piribedil, levosimendan, cimetidine, diprophylline, idebenone and rilmenidine, or salt(s), prodrug(s) or sustained release formulation(s) thereof.
 3. The method of claim 2, comprising administering to said mammalian subject a composition comprising at least one of the following combinations of compounds: ifenprodil and acamprosate, ifenprodil and baclofen, ifenprodil and nicergoline, ifenprodil and torasemide, ifenprodil and triamterene, or ifenprodil and tolfenamic acid, or salt(s), prodrug(s), or sustained release formulation(s) thereof.
 4. The method of claim 1, the method further comprising administering to said mammalian subject at least one anti-diabetic agent.
 5. The method of claim 4, wherein the at least one anti-diabetic agent is selected from acarbose, acetohexamide, alogliptin, berberine, bezafibrate, bromocriptine, buformin, carbutamide, chlorpropamide, chromium picolinate, ciprofibrate, clofibrate, colesevelam, dexfenfluramine, dutogliptin, exenatide, fenofibrate, gemfibrozil, gemigliptin, glibenclamide, glibornuride, glicetanile, gliclazide, glimepiride, glipizide, gliquidone, glisentide, glyclopyramide, imidapril, insulin, inulin, lipoic acid, linagliptin, liraglutide, mecobalamin, metformin, miglitol, mitiglinide, nateglinide, orlistat, phenformin, pioglitazone, pramlintide, repaglinide, rosiglitazone, saxagliptin, sitagliptin, tolazamide, tolbutamide, vildagliptin or voglibose, or salt(s), prodrug(s), or sustained release formulation(s) thereof.
 6. The method of claim 5, wherein the at least one anti-diabetic agent is metformin, or a salt, prodrug, or sustained release formulation thereof.
 7. The method of claim 6 comprising administering to said mammalian subject a composition comprising at least one of the following combinations of compounds: ifenprodil and metformin, ifenprodil and acamprosate and metformin, ifenprodil and baclofen and metformin, ifenprodil and nicergoline and metformin, ifenprodil and torasemide and metformin, ifenprodil and triamterene and metformin, or ifenprodil and tolfenamic acid and metformin, or salt(s), prodrug(s) or sustained release formulation(s) thereof.
 8. A method for controlling blood glucose level in a mammalian subject in need thereof, comprising administering to said subject a composition comprising ifenprodil, or a salt, prodrug or sustained release formulation thereof.
 9. The method of claim 8, said method comprising administering to said subject a composition comprising ifenprodil, or a salt, prodrug or sustained release formulation thereof and at least one additional compound selected from acamprosate, almitrine, amlexanox, azelastine, baclofen, carbetapentane, cinacalcet, dexbromopheniramine, diethylcarbamazine, D-mannose, fexofenadine, mexiletine, nicergoline, tolperisone, torasemide, triamterene, tolfenamic acid, piribedil, levosimendan, cimetidine, diprophylline, idebenone and rilmenidine, or salt(s), prodrug(s) or sustained release formulation(s) thereof.
 10. The method of claim 8, wherein the mammalian subject is suffering from diabetes or from a related disorder selected from impaired glucose tolerance, impaired fasting glucose, insulin resistance, metabolic syndrome, postprandial hyperglycemia and overweight or obesity.
 11. A method for decreasing insulin resistance in a mammalian subject in need thereof, comprising administering to said subject a composition comprising ifenprodil, or a salt, prodrug or sustained release formulation thereof.
 12. The method of claim 11, said method comprising administering to said subject a composition comprising ifenprodil, or a salt, prodrug or sustained release formulation thereof and at least one additional compound selected from acamprosate, almitrine, amlexanox, azelastine, baclofen, carbetapentane, cinacalcet, dexbromopheniramine, diethylcarbamazine, D-mannose, fexofenadine, mexiletine, nicergoline, tolperisone, torasemide, triamterene, tolfenamic acid, piribedil, levosimendan, cimetidine, diprophylline, idebenone and rilmenidine, or salt(s), prodrug(s) or sustained release formulation(s) thereof.
 13. A method for increasing or stimulating glucose uptake in adipocytes and/or muscular cells in a mammalian subject in need thereof, comprising administering to said subject a composition comprising ifenprodil, or a salt, prodrug or sustained release formulation thereof.
 14. The method of claim 13, said method comprising administering to said subject a composition comprising ifenprodil, or a salt, prodrug or sustained release formulation thereof and at least one additional compound selected from acamprosate, almitrine, amlexanox, azelastine, baclofen, carbetapentane, cinacalcet, dexbromopheniramine, diethylcarbamazine, D-mannose, fexofenadine, mexiletine, nicergoline, tolperisone, torasemide, triamterene, tolfenamic acid, piribedil, levosimendan, cimetidine, diprophylline, idebenone and rilmenidine, or salt(s), prodrug(s) or sustained release formulation(s) thereof.
 15. A method for decreasing apoptosis of pancreatic beta cells in a mammalian subject in need thereof, comprising administering to said subject a composition comprising ifenprodil, or a salt, prodrug or sustained release formulation thereof.
 16. The method of claim 15, said method comprising administering to said subject a composition comprising ifenprodil, or a salt, prodrug or sustained release formulation thereof and at least one additional compound selected from acamprosate, almitrine, amlexanox, azelastine, baclofen, carbetapentane, cinacalcet, dexbromopheniramine, diethylcarbamazine, D-mannose, fexofenadine, mexiletine, nicergoline, tolperisone, torasemide, triamterene, tolfenamic acid, piribedil, levosimendan, cimetidine, diprophylline, idebenone and rilmenidine, or salt(s), prodrug(s) or sustained release formulation(s) thereof.
 17. The method of claim 1, wherein the mammalian subject is suffering from type 2 diabetes.
 18. The method of claim 1, wherein the compound(s) is/are administered with a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier or excipient.
 19. The method of claim 2, wherein the compounds are formulated or administered together, separately or sequentially.
 20. The method of claim 1, wherein the composition is administered repeatedly to said mammalian subject.
 21. A pharmaceutical composition comprising at least one of the following combinations of compounds: ifenprodil and acamprosate, ifenprodil and baclofen, ifenprodil and nicergoline, ifenprodil and torasemide, ifenprodil and triamterene, or ifenprodil and tolfenamic acid, or salt(s), prodrug(s) or sustained release formulation(s) thereof.
 22. The composition of claim 21, the composition further comprising metformin, or a salt, prodrug or sustained release formulation thereof. 